Scarlett's mother goes into hiding after death threats as third suspect is taken in for questioning

The mother of murdered British teenager Scarlett Keeling has gone into hiding amid fears for her safety.

Fiona MacKeown, 43, said she had moved to an "undisclosed location" after warnings from residents in Goa and on the advice of her lawyer. She has been granted police protection.

Today she said third man has been taken in for questioning by police in connection with Scarlett's death.

She said: "I understand a man was taken in by police. If it is the person I think it is then I'll be pleased."

Scarlett, who was on an extended holiday at the Indian resort, was found raped and murdered on a beach on February 19.

Mrs MacKeown said last night: "I've been warned by the locals to get out of here. It's very easy for people to get at you around here.

"We've heard some people aren't very happy with us. The beach is deserted, half the shacks have been closed, a lot of people are losing business."

She also feared her accusations against top local officials, including a state minister, could put her in harm's way.

She said she had been granted police protection.

A pathologist's report said yesterday that 15-year-old Scarlett, from near Bideford, Devon, was killed by drowning after her head was pushed under water for between five and 10 minutes.

Mrs MacKeown's lawyer, Vikram Varma, said the report concluded Scarlett died of "homicidal drowning" in shallow waters and not of a drug or alcohol overdose.

Mrs MacKeown said the findings lent fresh weight to her allegations that links between police, politicians and local drugs gangs were hampering a proper inquiry.

She planned to ask Goa High Court to force local police to hand over the investigation file to federal agents.

Local police initially said Scarlett's death was an accidental drowning. But a murder inquiry began after a second post-mortem showed she had been attacked.

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Two men are in custody. Placido Carvalho, aged between 30 and 35, has appeared in court on suspicion of drugging the girl and assisting in murder by that act.

Samson D'Souza, 28, was remanded on suspicion of rape.

Mrs MacKeown said she was "shocked but not surprised" at the new report.

"I looked at her body and the bruising on her head and face and shoulder is consistent with this. She struggled, she kicked, she tried to stay alive."

Mrs MacKeown had left Scarlett in the care of her Indian boyfriend Julio Lobo and his two aunts while she went travelling with her own boyfriend and other children.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday yesterday, Mr Lobo said: "I feel I am being blamed by Scarlett's family for not looking after her but she did what she wanted to do.

"Scarlett had a drinking habit. She used to drink vodka, beer and tequila, sometimes in large amounts, and her mother knew this.

"When her family was away and she was with me, she'd be drunk many nights."

Mr Lobo is not under suspicion of involvement with Scarlett's death.

He claimed Scarlett told him she was 19 - which he believed - and that he had "something special" with her.

Mrs MacKeown has said Scarlett was "not a drinker", and that she provided her daughter with living expenses, spoke to her by mobile phone every day and insisted on regular visits.