Nora Quoirin's family sue Malaysian resort where teen stayed before she died
The family claim there was no security, the window to her room was left open and that there was no surveillance at the site.
Tuesday 21 January 2020 10:09, UK
The family of a teenager who was found dead in Malaysia after disappearing from her bed are suing the owner of the resort where she was staying.
Nora Quoirin's body was discovered in August last year around 1.5 miles (2.5km) from the Dunsun eco-resort - 10 days after she went missing from the hotel - after a huge search and rescue operation.
Despite police saying there was no evidence of abduction, claiming she died of starvation and stress, her mother says she is sure Nora was kidnapped, and fears it could happen again.
In the lawsuit against the Dunsun eco-resort, Nora's parents say that the cottage window was found ajar with its latch broken, on the morning she disappeared.
It added that the resort's gate was left constantly open with no security and no surveillance camera - apart from in the reception area.
Her parents' lawyer says that due to 15-year-old Nora's mental and physical disabilities, she would have been taken and not wandered off on her own, adding that her mental age was about five or six years old.
The lawyer, Sakanka Nair, told reporters after an initial hearing: "The place was not safe for the child because of the negligence... anybody could have come in and taken [her]."
Mr and Mrs Quoirin are seeking around 180,000 Malaysian ringgit (£34,000) from the resort's owner, Helen Marion Todd, for losses, bereavement costs and damages for pain and suffering.
A lawyer for Ms Todd did not respond to requests for comment.
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As well as seeking damages, the family have also asked for an inquest to be undertaken by Malaysia's attorney-general, after being shocked that prosecutors recorded Nora's death as "no further action" - essentially ruling out a further investigation.
They said that the lack of inquest could mean that justice is being prevented.
In a statement issued by the Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity that supports British families in crisis overseas, said: "It is crucial to understand how Nora came to be found where she was.
"As a vulnerable child, with significant physical and mental challenges, we strongly refute any conclusion that Nora was alone for the entire duration of her disappearance.
"We have repeatedly asked the police to clarify answers to our questions in this regard - and we have been repeatedly ignored."