Review into the death of Grace

Published April 2024

Summary

Death of a woman in her late 50s, known as ‘Grace’ for the review. The perpetrator, Grace's ex-partner, received a 27-year sentence for murder. 

Issues identified

• Grace's experiences of domestic abuse included violence and economic abuse.
• Grace was from a South American country and had lived in the UK since the 1990s. The review spoke to an organisation supporting Latin American women in the UK to understand Grace's background.
• The perpetrator had a history of substance misuse.

Lessons learned

• Grace's risk assessment rated her as medium risk. She wasn't referred to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).
• There was not time for safety planning with Grace when the perpetrator was released from prison for assaulting her. The police and domestic abuse services were notified the same day. 
• Non-fatal strangulation is a serious risk indicator for future homicide.

Actions we are taking

• Promoting 'professional judgement' as a MARAC referral criteria for medium risk cases.
• Reviewing policies to manage the safe release of domestic abuse perpetrators from prison.
• Raising awareness of non-fatal strangulation.

Overview report

DHR Grace overview report is on the Home Office Domestic Homicide Review Library.