A woman who was killed in an explosion at her Bristol home died from blast injuries, an inquest was told. Jo Shaw, 35, died in the incident in Sterncourt Road on 3 May, in which her former partner, Ryan Kelly, 41, also suffered fatal injuries.
Avon and Somerset Police recorded her death as a homicide and are treating the cause of the explosion as deliberate. The force said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with her death. Three other people, including a child, sustained minor injuries.
An inquest into her death was opened by assistant Avon coroner Debbie Rookes during a brief hearing at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton. Coroner’s officer Abigail Carey told the hearing Ms Shaw was pronounced dead at home by paramedics at 7am, shortly after the incident. “Police and emergency services attended her home address following activation of an explosive device,” she said. “A short form post-mortem report from Dr Russell Delaney gives a proposed cause of death as penetrating fragmentation blast injury to the chest and pelvis.”
The court heard Ms Shaw, who was single and worked as a personal assistant, was formally identified by her family. Ms Rookes formally adjourned proceedings and requested further reports from a general practitioner, the police, ambulance service and pathologist. She also requested further background information from Ms Shaw’s family, who were not present at the hearing. The file is expected to be reviewed by a coroner on 20 July and an inquest hearing is expected to take place on 11 August.
Ms Shaw’s family paid tribute, saying: “Joanne brought warmth, kindness, and strength into the lives of countless people. Her loving presence will be missed more than words can ever express, but her memory will forever remain in our hearts.” They added: “Her child has suffered the unimaginable loss of their mummy in this tragedy. Joanne’s love for her child was boundless, and the centre of her world. She was a devoted and loving mother.”
Police previously said a call was received from a person inside the house at 6.17am reporting a domestic-related incident, saying a man they knew had forced entry to the house. The caller remained on the line while officers were dispatched, and at 6.30am the caller told police the man was believed to be in possession of an explosive device. About two minutes later there was an explosion, in which Ms Shaw and her former partner were killed. Officers arrived at the property at 6.34am and fire and ambulance services shortly afterwards.
