Rachel Tunstill, 32, was found dead in HMP Styal, Cheshire, where she was serving a life sentence for the murder of her newborn daughter, Mia Kelly. Her death is under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Tunstill’s case gained national attention due to its disturbing nature and legal complexities. In 2017, the psychology graduate secretly gave birth, fatally stabbed the infant with scissors, and disposed of the body in a bin at her flat. Though initially convicted of murder, the case went through multiple appeals. At one point, the charge was reduced to infanticide based on her mental health, but she was eventually reconvicted of murder after a retrial.

Mental health was a central issue throughout the proceedings. Tunstill, who had autism, believed she was experiencing a miscarriage rather than a full-term birth. Her defense emphasized her misunderstanding and mental health challenges, which were examined in detail during both trials. Authorities also found disturbing evidence of her online searches about notorious killers and child murders, which influenced public and judicial perceptions of her mental state. Tunstill’s death in custody has reignited concerns about mental health support within the criminal justice system, highlighting the importance of adequate care for vulnerable inmates. Her case underscores broader systemic issues and calls attention to society’s duty to protect individuals with complex psychological needs.