The family of a British woman found dead in Israel have released a shocking picture of her body to dispute claims she died of natural causes. Their distressing photograph shows Julie Pearson, from Kinross, near Perth, lying in a coffin with cuts and bruises on her face. They say Ms Pearson, 38, had been badly beaten hours before she collapsed and died following a visit to a guest house in Eilat, Israel.
They took the agonising decision to release a picture of her body after failing to get answers amid claims Israeli police have not properly investigated an alleged assault on her. Her grieving aunt Deborah Pearson 55, from West Lothian, described the investigation as a ‘shambles’ and told MailOnline this afternoon: ‘We wanted people to see what we saw. Her injuries were even worse that what you can see. She had bruises all over her body – her torso, back, shoulders.’
Julie’s mother Margaret said:‘the family took the decision to issue the shocking photograph because they were ‘not getting anywhere’ in their bid to kick-start investigation. ‘We feel we have no other choice but to let the world see the injuries my daughter sustained as we try to get to the truth of how Julie died.I haven’t been able to rest since seeing what had been done to her. The black bruises to her face and body were horrific. There is no way she died from natural causes.’
Ambulance crews were called to the guest house and tried desperately to keep Julie alive, but she was pronounced dead at hospital. David Cameron and MP Hannah Bardell are both said to have vowed to support Julie’s relatives, who have launched a fundraising page to pay with future legal costs.