The family of Katie Beattie, a 27-year-old woman found dead in her flat in Lancaster, have forced a reopening of the police investigation after conducting their own inquiries. Katie's body was discovered on July 1, 2024, half-naked and with bruises, surrounded by blood splatters.
Family raises concerns over evidence
Katie's mother Shonna, 61, and father David, 67, became worried after not hearing from her for several days. They called emergency services, who found Katie on her bed, wearing only one sock. A neighbor's doorbell footage showed Katie entering her flat with a man days before her death, and the neighbor saw him leaving the day before her body was found.
Initially, police concluded there was no evidence of suspicious death. However, the family, led by sister Kellie Rhodes, 38, pushed for a review. Kellie stated: "Over the last two years, we haven't had time to grieve. We want a criminal prosecution for the male who was in her flat. We believe there is enough evidence to build a case against him."
Family discovers puncture mark
At the mortuary, the family persuaded staff to check Katie's toes for puncture marks, which they found on her left foot. They claim the foot had been cleaned before arrival. Kellie said: "We found a needle mark on her foot, and there was no needle at the scene – I don't know what more they need."
Kellie described Katie as "happy-go-lucky" but struggling with alcoholism to cope with autism, leading her to associate with "the wrong crowd." On June 28, 2024, Katie had been dropped off at her flat after a 13-day stay at a mental health unit in Barrow-in-Furness.
Police reopen investigation
After the case was officially closed in August 2025, Kellie submitted a victim's right to review application. Lancashire Police have now confirmed that the original investigation has been reassessed and further enquiries are being conducted. A police spokesperson said: "The initial investigation has been reviewed following a victim's right to review, and further enquiries are being conducted following this."
The family had gathered CCTV and evidence themselves. Kellie added: "We have done all the work, we pushed every bit of the way. My dad was going around getting CCTV from local places and asking them to send it to the police. We shouldn't have done any of this."
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 1092 of 1 July 2024.
