Mum of mortuary abuser David Fuller victim says inquiry wait ‘not good enough’
Nevres Kemal’s daughter was one of at least 102 women and girls who were sexually assaulted by double murderer David Fuller.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The mother of a woman sexually abused by necrophiliac David Fuller says she has had “months of distress” waiting for an inquiry into his crimes.
Nevres Kemal’s daughter Azra Kemal was 24 when she died after falling from a motorway bridge in the dark as she fled her burning car.
She was one of at least 102 women and girls sexually assaulted after their deaths by double murderer Fuller, who worked as a hospital electrician.
Fuller beat and strangled Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, to death before sexually assaulting them in two separate attacks in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1987.
He was handed a whole life sentence for the murders, with a concurrent 12-year term for his other crimes, in December 2021 after being arrested the year before.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised a full, independent inquiry into what happened, but Ms Kemal says it is not happening fast enough.
She said: “The Health Secretary has made a pledge to the families and we will hold him to that pledge.
“The families are already distressed, but the proposed chair of the inquiry has yet to get in touch with any of those most affected by this scandal. They are Fuller’s victims too.
“In spite of the assurances given, we haven’t even got to first base yet after two further months of distress, waiting, and wondering. It is not good enough.”
Families of victims whose bodies were abused by Fuller are being represented by lawyers from Irwin Mitchell.
Solicitor Sallie Booth said: “Whilst it is reassuring that the Health Secretary has replaced the (hospital) trust’s internal investigation with the pledge of an independent inquiry, it remains to be seen whether the current proposals will in fact satisfy the assurances given to the families of Fuller’s victims, and whether they will receive the answers and the acknowledgement of accountability they deserve.
“It is apparent that the intention of the Health Secretary is that the ‘new and independent inquiry’ is proposed to be a continuation of the trust’s own internal inquiry, to be chaired by Sir Johnathan Michael, who has worked for the NHS for a number of years, including as chief executive for three NHS trusts.
“Sir Johnathan Michael had been appointed as chair of the trust’s internal investigation prior to the Health Secretary’s announcement.
“It is understandable therefore that our clients are questioning the reality of the ‘independence’ of the inquiry.”