Investigation into police contact as probe into woman’s death continues
AN INDEPENDENT investigation has been launched after the death of a woman who was found at a house in Burton.
Staffordshire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the death of Kelly Webber at the house in Somerset Road, Stapenhill, on Tuesday, March 2.
The force has launched a murder investigation into the 41-year-old’s death and two people had been arrested. Its investigation is still on-going.
The results of a post-mortem examination were inconclusive as to what had caused Ms Webber’s death and further tests were to take place, a police spokesman has previously said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has now said it has launched an investigation into the contact Ms Webber had had with the police before she died and has been in touch with her family.
A spokesman said: “Following assessment of a mandatory referral from Staffordshire Police in relation to this we have now begun an independent investigation looking at police contact with Ms Webber prior to her death.
“We have been in contact with her family to explain our role and we will keep them regularly updated. Due to the ongoing murder investigation we are unable to provide any further detail at this time.”
Ms Webber was described as friendly by neighbours who would often see her walking her dog.
They told of their shock that she had been found dead. One said at the time: “I’ve lived in this street for 42 years but this house for 27 years and had nothing like this has happened before. It’s not like this happening is not heard of but you don’t expect it. It’s a life lost, she’s someone’s daughter.
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “The woman was always walking her dog and we would talk sometimes.”
Councillor Becky Brady, who represents Stapenhill on East Staffordshire Borough Council, called the incident “very tragic” saying that the area was a close knit community.