Second funeral of Harry Dunn to take place almost five years after his death
The family of Harry Dunn, the teenage motorcyclist killed by a US citizen in a road crash, will hold a second funeral after police held on to some of his remains for almost five years after his death.
Charlotte Charles, Harry’s mother, said she felt “sick, angry and bewildered” when Northamptonshire police told her “human remains” had been found alongside his possessions during preparations for an inquest to be held in June.
Relatives are preparing a second funeral for the 19-year-old because the first one had been marred with speculation about the departure of Anne Sacoolas, who was responsible for the accident, from the UK.
“On Friday, we’re going to commemorate and remember him and smile and laugh and take the opportunity to say what we should have been able to do four-and-a-half years ago,” Mrs Charles told Sky News.
Police admitted remains were uncovered during a recent examination of Harry’s clothes, helmet and motorcycle from the fatal crash near RAF Croughton in August 2019.
Officers returned the remains to a funeral director earlier this month at the request of Harry’s family.
Mrs Charles said: “We’ve always been led to believe that there were no possessions... that there was nothing worth recovering from the scene of the crash because it was so horrific back then.
“Over four and a half years ago, we didn’t question that. I suppose we were still in shock, numb to a certain degree.
“At the same time as getting those possessions, we then get the news that there’s also some soft tissue, as they called it, which was another bolt out of the blue. I felt sick, angry and totally bewildered.
“Having been kept in the dark is pretty much unforgivable, somebody did not follow protocol way back on day one to let us know where those possessions were.”
Northamptonshire police confirmed Harry’s family had now taken possession of all his remaining property from the crash scene.
In a statement, the force said: “We are aware of the family’s plans to hold a second burial service and have been working closely with the family.
“Harry’s clothing, helmet and bike were removed from the original collision site in 2019. Recently, police examined the items in order to repatriate them with the family, at which time, human remains were subsequently discovered on Harry’s clothing.
“Working with HM Coroner’s office in Northamptonshire, an officer returned the human remains to a funeral director on Feb 7 at the request of Harry’s family.
“The family have now taken possession of all the remaining property from the collision site in preparation for the private family service later this week. We will, of course, continue to support them going forward.”
Police also said a review would be carried out of the case focusing on the initial police investigation.
‘I’m American and I drove on the American side of the road’
Det Chief Supert Emma James, of Northamptonshire police, said: “This was an extremely complex case from which we know there will be some learning for the force.
“As such, Acting Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet has commissioned a full investigative review of the case, focusing wholly on the police investigation into the tragic death of Harry Dunn in August 2019.
“Terms of reference are being drawn up and, in order to ensure complete transparency, I shall be meeting the family and their representative, Radd Seiger, in the coming days to ensure we capture their feedback and also to reassure them that, whatever recommendations come out in the learning, will be shared with the family and enacted.”
Harry was killed in August 2019 after he was knocked down by Anne Sacoolas, a US citizen, while riding his motorcycle near RAF Croughton.
Mrs Sacoolas fled the UK days after the fatal crash near the US intelligence base and told police at the scene: “I’m American and I drove on the American side of the road.”
She initially claimed diplomatic immunity on the grounds that her husband, a US diplomat, was stationed at the RAF base.
Boris Johnson, the then prime minister, led attempts for Mrs Sacoolas to be brought back to the UK to face court proceedings but she rejected calls to voluntarily return.
In October 2022, Mrs Sacoolas admitted causing death by careless driving at the Old Bailey via videolink from Washington and she received a suspended sentence at the same court two months later in another remote appearance.
