Watchdog investigates stab death
AN investigation by the police watchdog has been launched after a woman was found dead with stab wounds at a flat just outside Manchester city centre.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating contact GMP had with mum-of-three Danielle Richardson dating back to March 2016.
Ms Richardson’s body was discovered in a flat in Ancoats on the morning of February 13.
Michael Marler, 37, of Brideoak Street, Oldham, has been charged with Miss Richardson’s murder.
He is also charged with attempted robbery, assault and three counts of causing damage to motor vehicles.
The IOPC, formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission, oversee the national police complaints system and investigate the most serious incidents and complaints involving the police.
The organisation said it received a referral from GMP because of the direct contact the force had with Miss Richardson since March, 2016.
“Our investigation will focus on the nature of that contact,” a spokesman said.
IOPC regional director, Amanda Rowe, said: “Firstly I’d like extend my sympathies to Miss Richardson’s family and friends who I know must be going through a very difficult time.
“We have already made contact with her family and will be providing them with regular updates throughout our investigation. When the police have had recent contact with someone who dies in such circumstances, it is automatically referred to us by the force.
“Our focus is purely on the police’s contact with Miss Richardson over the two-year period before she died, not the circumstances of her death.
“It’s vital for public confidence that we investigate this fully, but it is not necessarily an indication that the police could have done anything to prevent Miss Richardson’s death.
“We have already started to analyse evidence provided by the police and all officers and staff involved are being treated as witnesses.”
Miss Richardson, from Oldham, was described by her family as a ‘loving and caring mother, sister, daughter and auntie.’
A post mortem examination revealed she died from multiple stab injuries.
In a tribute, her family said: “She had a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it. There isn’t anyone that would have a bad word to say about Dannii. It’s broken everyone’s hearts that she was taken from us so soon.”
Mr Marler is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court court in May.