A grieving mum said she hasn't been upstairs for more than a year following the death of her daughter.
Semina Halliwell died on June 12, 2021, after spending four nights in hospital. The year seven pupil at Stanley High School in Southport took her own life after an interview with police, mum Rachel claims. The 12-year-old girl claimed she was raped by an older boy who she said had groomed her over Snapchat.
Mum Rachel spoke to the ECHO about the agonising grief she faces everyday and how only recently has she decided on Semina's headstone.
READ MORE: Police cordon off road close to where Nicola Bulley disappeared
She said: "It's been so hard to even think about a headstone, I just couldn't go there. It has been really difficult because, and I know this probably has nothing to do with the headstone, but I haven't been upstairs for over a year since Semina passed away.
"So when it came to the headstone it was just so difficult. I bought two plots at the cemetery. I had ideas and I started to think about what I wanted and then I would change and say 'no that wouldn't be right'.
"I wanted something that no one else had. I wanted more of a memorial as well for her, so to actually decide on something that I want I am relieved because I felt like it was a grave with just a cross there and I felt like it had been neglected, even though it wasn't, and she deserved only the best.
"She's never going to get married, have a prom or have a 21st, so regards to money she deserves only the best. My father had a business in Southport, he was a stonemason, and he sold his business so I went to Marcus Memorials which used to be the Halliwell business and together we designed [the headstone]."
Rachel said a photograph of Semina will be engraved in the middle of her headstone and will be a "beautiful memorial" for people to come visit. She added how people across the world and the country visit the 12-year-old's resting place to pay their respects.
Writing on Twitter, Rachel said: "It's taken me 21 months to decide on Semina’s headstone, today I customised and designed her headstone. Never thought this picture taken on Semina’s nanna's 80th birthday nearly three years ago would be engraved on her headstone two years later."
The heartbroken mum will have to wait more than two years for answers surrounding the death of her 12-year-old daughter. A pre-inquest hearing into the Semina's death was held on Friday, February 3, however Rachel previously explained how she is now waiting until another hearing in July.
She said this should determine a date for the formal inquest of her daughter. It is thought that it will be before the end of year, more than two years after the death of Semina.
She said: "You couldn't make it up. The miscarriage of justice that Semina has gone through no child or adult should have to go through that."
Merseyside Police has previously told the ECHO: "The matter is currently being considered by the Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens coroner and as such it is not appropriate for Merseyside Police to comment on any of the substantive issues raised at this time, as we would not wish to prejudice the coronial investigation. However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter.
“A formal complaint relating to the police investigation has been received and the concerns expressed are being investigated by the force’s Professional Standards Department. We have informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct and are keeping them updated."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Teacher's head stamped on as he lay unconscious outside takeaway
EncroChat drug boss ran rural lab while director of chemical company
Gino D'Acampo's Liverpool restaurant slapped with one star hygiene rating
Iceland fans praise 'tastiest ever' Slimming World meal
Share a Random Act of Kindness and celebrate Merseyside's warm heart
