A review into the 2013 killing of Junella Valentine in a murder suicide has recommended changes to police procedures to prevent similar incidents.
The report, published by the Epping Forest District Community Safety Partnership on Friday (March 20), investigated the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 34-year-old and Kevin Ayton, 35.
Miss Valentine was found stabbed to death in her flat in Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey, on October 7 2013, after her abusive partner Ayton was found hanged in a leisure centre in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.
An inquest found that Ayton, a known crack cocaine user, killed Miss Valentine after she told him their relationship was over and she was seeing someone else.
Her body was discovered after police found her bank card on Ayton’s body, and it is believed he had used the card to buy crack the night of the murder – suicide.
Floral tributes were left outside Miss Valentine's flat in 2013
Miss Valentine had previously informed the police that she had been subject to domestic abuse, but she was only classified as “medium risk” because she did not engage with and provide information to officers.
The report also found that Hertfordshire Police could have dealt with Ayton “more robustly” in two incidents before the murder-suicide.
In October 2011, Ayton was allegedly involved in an incident with a firearm but he was not arrested or interviewed until late November, when he voluntarily attended a station.
Hertfordshire Police also did not realise bail conditions set on Ayton when they attended another incident.
A police officer stands guard outside Miss Valentine's flat in 2013
Although the report finds that Miss Valentine’s death “could not have been reasonably foreseen or prevented by any agency or individual”, it concludes several agencies should change practice to avoid similar incidents.
Epping Forest District Council have been advised to that anyone seeking housing advice or assistance should be referred to other agencies if they are being threatened with domestic violence, and Essex Police have been recommended to give additional weight to “alleged victims who are considered to be uncooperative”.
It has also been recommended that the Market Square Surgery in Waltham Abbey should introduce “flagging” procedures for domestic violence victims.
Following the report publication, Epping Forest District Council has urged domestic violence victims to speak to relevant agencies.
To contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline, call 0808 2000 247.
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