Woman and ex-partner killed in Bristol house explosion named
TL;DR
Jo Shaw, 35, and her ex-partner Ryan Kelly, 41, were killed in a house explosion in Bristol, which police are treating as suspicious. Shaw's death has been recorded as a homicide, and the police will refer the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior contact with her.
Key points
- Jo Shaw and Ryan Kelly killed in Bristol house explosion
- Explosion treated as suspicious by police
- Shaw's death recorded as a homicide
- Police to refer case to Independent Office for Police Conduct
Mentioned in this story
Two people killed in a house explosion have been named by police.
Jo Shaw, 35, and her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41, died in the blast at an address on Sterncourt Road in Frenchay, Bristol, at about 06:30 BST on Sunday.
Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to a domestic-related incident just minutes before the incident and investigators are treating it as "suspicious".
Supt Matt Ebbs said Shaw's death has been officially recorded as a homicide "based on the information known to us at this time".
The force said that it would be making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous police contact with the victim prior to Sunday.
It said the contact related to "other domestic incidents".
Supt Ebbs said: "We know everyone's thoughts and sympathies will be with (Jo's) devastated family. Specially-trained officers are providing them with updates and support.
"We recognise there is significant interest in what happened, but at the centre of it there are many people grieving and we would please ask everyone respects that and gives them the privacy they want."
Police said they received a call from a person inside the property at 06:17 BST reporting a domestic-related incident, stating that a man, whom they knew, had forced entry to the house.
Several double crewed units were dispatched and the caller remained on the line, the force said.
The explosion occurred at around 06:32, and the first officers arrived on the scene at 06:34, and were joined by the fire and ambulance services shortly afterwards.
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Q&A
What caused the house explosion in Bristol?
The cause of the house explosion is currently under investigation, and police are treating it as suspicious.
Who are the victims of the Bristol house explosion?
The victims have been identified as Jo Shaw, 35, and her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41.
Why is the police referring the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct?
The police are making a referral due to previous contact with Jo Shaw prior to the explosion.
