Police say Jo’s death has been officially ‘recorded as a homicide’Abigail Neep South West Regional News Reporter and Sophie Grubb
07:59, 06 May 2026
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
Avon and Somerset Police has referred themselves to the standards watchdog after ‘other domestic incidents’ were reported to them prior to an explosion at a house on Sunday, in which a man and woman died.
The force said the referral was on the grounds of the deaths following ‘previous police contact’ before the explosion on Sterncourt Road on Sunday, May 3.
Police have confirmed the woman who died to be 35-year-old Jo Shaw who lived at the address, and the man as her 41-year-old former partner, Ryan Kelly. The pair died from injuries sustained during the incident and police have said they are treating Jo’s death as a ‘homicide’.
In a statement made yesterday afternoon (May 5), the force said ‘other domestic incidents’ had been reported to them prior to Sunday.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Their families are aware of what has happened and that we are releasing this information to the public.
“We can confirm a mandatory referral will be made by our Professional Standards Department to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“This is on the grounds of the deaths occurring following previous police contact, specifically other domestic incidents being reported to us prior to Sunday
“A large amount of work has taken place over the past few days to further our understanding of what took place and we can now provide more details”
Avon and Somerset Police said they received a call from a person inside the property at 6.17am, reporting a domestic-related incident.
They said the caller had told them a man, who they knew, had forced entry to the house.
Several double-crewed units were initially dispatched to the address and the caller remained on the line. At around 6.30am, the caller told the force the man was believed to be in possession of an explosive device.
Around two minutes later an explosion occurred at the property, add the police. The first officers arrived at the property at 6.34am and were joined by the fire and ambulance services shortly afterwards.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct added: “We have been advised by Avon and Somerset Police that a mandatory referral will be made to the IOPC in relation to the fatal explosion in Bristol on Sunday (3 May).
“Once we receive the referral it will be assessed to decide what further action may be required.”
Three other people, including the person who called police, were treated for minor injuries and did not need to stay in hospital.
Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: “We know people will be shocked and upset to learn of the horrendous events that happened on Sunday morning.
“Jo’s death has been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information known to us at this time. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.
“We know everyone’s thoughts and sympathies will be with her devastated family. Specially-trained officers are providing them with updates and support.
“We recognise there is significant interest in what happened, but at the centre of it there are many people grieving and we would please ask everyone respects that and gives them the privacy they want.”
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