IPCC outlines investigation into the Metropolitan Police Service’s contact with Valerie Forde before her death
4 Apr 2014 03:19 PM
The Independent Police
Complaints Commission (IPCC) is independently investigating prior contact
between the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Valerie Forde before her
death and the death of her daughter, Realjahzara
McKoy.
The bodies of Ms Forde, 45, and
her daughter Realjahzara, 23 months, were discovered in a residential address
in Hackney, on 31 March after MPS officers were called to the
area.
An independent inve
stigation started on Thursday, 3 April after it became apparent that
Ms Forde had contacted the MPS in February.
The IPCC is examining the
circumstances surrounding actions and decisions of MPS officers regarding
contact they had with Ms Forde between February 2014 and 31 March
2014.
IPCC Commissioner Mary Cunneen
said:
“My thoughts and
sympathies are with Ms Forde’s family at what must be a desperately sad
and difficult time for them.
“Our investigation
is at an early stage but I would like to assure Ms Forde’s
family we will carry out a robust
and independent investigation into the Metropolitan
Police’s contact with Ms Forde before her tragic death.
“I am mindful a
murder investigation is underway therefore we need to be
cautious about information we make public in order to preserve the integrity of
the ongoing investigation.”
A 53 year old man is currently
at the Royal London Hospital receiving medical attention where he remains under
arrest.