The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to independently investigate Essex police contact with a woman prior to her death in Southend.
The body of Jeanette Goodwin, 47, was found by police at a property in Quebec Avenue, Southend on the evening of Sunday 24 July 2011. A man, Martin Bunch, was subsequently arrested and has been charged with her murder.
There had been a history of police contact with Ms Goodwin over the course of this year and therefore Essex Police referred the death to the IPCC.
IPCC Commissioner, Rachel Cerfontyne, said: "I would like to extend my condolences to Jeanette Goodwin's family and friends. The IPCC is in the process of contacting her family to explain our involvement.
"An IPCC senior investigator has completed an assessment and I have decided that an independent investigation should be carried out to examine the actions taken by Essex Police prior to Jeanette Goodwin’s sad death. Because of the criminal proceedings underway it would not be appropriate to give further information at this stage.”
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