Murder of mother is probed by watchdog
The murder of a young mother in the Black Country has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as the victim and accused were known to officers.
The murder of a young mother in the Black Country has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as the victim and accused were known to officers.
Kerry Smith, aged 29, was stabbed in High Street, Blackheath at 11.40am on Sunday. She later died in hospital.
A post mortem has revealed she was stabbed three times – twice in her chest and once in her back.
Her former partner has appeared in court charged with her murder.
West Midlands Police today confirmed it has referred the case to the IPCC. Spokesman Lee Page said: "This matter has now been voluntarily referred to the IPCC by WMP for an impartial review of all the circumstances due to the domestically-related nature of the incident and because the individuals involved were previously known to local police.
"This process is part of an established protocol to ensure operational policing is subject to complete public transparency and scrutiny by an independent body."
Miss Smith's former partner David Richard Palmer, aged 39, of Mincing Lane, Rowley Regis, appeared at Sandwell Magistrates Court charged with her murder yesterday.
He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear at Wolverhampton Crown Court tomorrow.
