RACHEL TUNSTILL'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN BURNLEY: BABY MIA KILLED IN SHOCKING MOTHER'S TRAGEDY
Rachel Tunstill, a woman from Burnley, tragically lost her life while in custody at HMP Styal on August 1, 2023, marking a somber end to a deeply disturbing case.Her death has prompted investigations into the circumstances surrounding her incarceration and the events leading up to her death.
Back in February 2019, Tunstill was at the center of a highly publicized and tragic criminal case involving the death of her newborn daughter, Mia Kelly.
The case drew significant media attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and the complexities surrounding her mental health and the circumstances of the birth.
Rachel Tunstill, then 28 years old and residing in Burnley, was convicted after a lengthy seven-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The trial followed her initial conviction in June 2017, which was later overturned on appeal.
The Court of Appeal, led by Lord Justice Treacy, determined that the jury should have been given the option to consider a verdict of infanticide, leading to a retrial and a subsequent conviction for murder.
According to court records, Tunstill gave birth to her daughter, Mia Kelly, on the evening of Saturday, January 14, 2017, inside the bathroom of her home in Burnley.
She had told her partner that she was experiencing a miscarriage, and despite his offers to seek medical help, she refused assistance, insisting she could manage the situation herself.
During this time, she requested a pair of scissors but did not specify their intended use.
It was later established that she used these scissors to inflict at least 15 stab wounds on her newborn, resulting in Mia’s death.
On Monday, January 16, Tunstill sought medical attention at Burnley General Hospital, claiming she had just suffered a miscarriage at nine weeks of pregnancy.
However, medical examinations revealed that she had actually given birth to a full-term baby.
The police were immediately notified, and officers attended the hospital to speak with her.
During questioning, Tunstill admitted that she had only discovered she was pregnant on Wednesday, January 11, and that her baby was stillborn.
She also stated that she was unsure of the baby’s gender.
Further investigations led police to her residence, where they found Mia’s body concealed within a bag in the kitchen bin.
The discovery shocked the community and highlighted the tragic nature of the case.
In the weeks leading up to the birth, Tunstill, who was employed as a deputy manager at a residential home for individuals with mental health issues, had conducted internet searches related to late-term pregnancy termination, including phrases like “how to end a pregnancy late.” Additionally, the court heard that she had researched notorious killers such as Mick Philpott, who murdered six of his own children in a house fire.
Tunstill had expressed interest in how someone described as a “psychopath” could display remorse on television before their guilt was publicly acknowledged.
Her mental state was further scrutinized, as she reported hearing voices in prison, claiming they told her she was akin to serial killer Rose West.
At her sentencing, scheduled for the following day, Tunstill faced the prospect of a life sentence.
Her case underscored the tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues and the devastating impact of her actions on her family and community.
Looking back at her earlier conviction in June 2017, Tunstill, then 26, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering her newborn daughter, Mia Kelly.
The court heard that she stabbed Mia with a pair of scissors in the bathroom of her Burnley home in Wellington Court, then placed the tiny body in plastic bags before discarding it in the kitchen bin.
During the trial, Tunstill admitted to inflicting more than 15 puncture wounds but claimed she had no memory of the act.
She believed she was experiencing a miscarriage, unaware that her pregnancy was near full term.
Her mental health was described as disturbed during this period, with her suffering an “acute stress reaction” following the birth.
However, the jury rejected her explanation and convicted her of murder at Preston Crown Court.
The court mandated that she serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole.
The prosecution, led by Louise Blackwell QC, highlighted her troubled childhood and her academic achievements, including a psychology degree and a master’s in forensic psychology.
At the time of her daughter’s death, she was employed as a deputy manager at a residential home for individuals with mental health issues, working for Healycare Ltd.
It was revealed that she had only confided in a select few about her pregnancy—her partner Ryan Kelly and her employers—indicating she was only in the early stages of pregnancy.
Yet, by January 16, she presented herself at Burnley General Hospital claiming to be nine weeks pregnant and suffering bleeding, fearing a miscarriage.
Medical examinations, however, showed her pregnancy had advanced to approximately 36 or 37 weeks, with part of the umbilical cord still attached to her uterus.
Police investigations into her digital activity uncovered searches related to late-stage pregnancy, stomach cramps, and drugs capable of inducing abortion.
They also found searches about Mick Philpott, the notorious killer, and faking pregnancy, which raised further questions about her mental state and intentions during this period.
Throughout the case, the community in Burnley has been left shaken by the tragic loss of Mia Kelly and the disturbing details of her mother’s actions.
The case continues to evoke discussions about mental health, maternal awareness, and the importance of early intervention in such tragic circumstances.
