Gina Heslop
Rachel Tunstill, a woman who was serving a prison sentence for stabbing her baby daughter to death with scissors, has been found dead in prison after six years. This tragic incident occurred in 2017 when Rachel stabbed her baby girl, Mia Kelly, more than 15 times in their home in Burnley, and then disposed of her body in a bin.
Initially, Rachel was convicted of murder and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years. However, during a re-trial, it was determined that the jury should have been given the option to consider infanticide. Rachel was convicted again and sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison.
The Prison Service spokesperson confirmed Rachel’s death in custody on August 1, 2023, stating that investigations would be carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody.
During the time of the tragic incident, Rachel’s boyfriend was playing video games in another room. She told him she had a miscarriage, then asked for scissors and proceeded to brutally stab her baby to death without showing any remorse.
At her sentencing, the judge described the attack as sustained and frenzied, noting that the baby was particularly vulnerable due to her age. Rachel’s actions were seen as a betrayal of her duty as a mother to care for and protect her child.
Furthermore, Rachel disposed of the baby’s body, causing further indignity. Despite her background as a university master’s graduate in forensic psychology, Rachel showed no emotion or remorse for her actions, as remarked by Mr. Justice King during her trial.
The death of Rachel Tunstill in prison brings an unfortunate end to a tragic and deeply disturbing case that shook the community and raised questions about the support available to vulnerable mothers.
