Rachel Tunstill, 32, who had been serving a life sentence for the murder of her newborn daughter, Mia Kelly, was found dead in HMP Styal, Cheshire. Her death is currently under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Tunstill’s case had garnered significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime and the…
Rachel Tunstill, 32, who had been serving a life sentence for the murder of her newborn daughter, Mia Kelly, was found dead in HMP Styal, Cheshire. Her death is currently under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Tunstill’s case had garnered significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime and the complex legal proceedings that followed . The tragic incident dates back to 2017 when Rachel Tunstill, a
psychology graduate and deputy manager, killed her newborn baby, Mia, just moments after giving birth. Tunstill used scissors to stab Mia multiple times before disposing of the body in a bin in her flat.
Initially convicted of murder, the case took several turns as new information emerged about Tunstill’s mental state and circumstances surrounding the crime.
Tunstill claimed that she had suffered from a rare condition known as pregnancy denial, where she was unaware that she was pregnant and experienced dissociation from reality. This defense led to a retrial, where she was eventually convicted of infanticide instead of murder. The judge acknowledged that Tunstill had been suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident, which influenced her actions.
Despite the controversy surrounding the case, Tunstill was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years. Her death in prison has raised questions about the mental health support available to inmates and the conditions within the prison system.
The news of Tunstill’s death has sparked mixed reactions from the public. Some believe that her death is a form of justice for the heinous crime she committed, while others express sympathy for the mental health struggles she faced. Regardless of one’s stance on the issue, it is clear that Tunstill’s case sheds light on the complexities of mental health and the challenges surrounding it in the criminal justice system.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Tunstill’s death to determine if any negligence or foul play was involved. Meanwhile, her family and loved ones are left to grieve the loss of a daughter, mother, and friend, who was embroiled in a tragic and shocking case that will forever be remembered.
The case of Rachel Tunstill serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support, especially for individuals who may be struggling in silence. It also highlights the need for a compassionate and understanding approach to those who have committed crimes while in a state of mental distress. As the investigation into Tunstill’s death unfolds, the public can only hope that lessons will be learned and changes will be made to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.