DARDR Siobhan (2021)

This Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) was published in September 2021 and examines the circumstances surrounding the murder of Siobhan, aged 27, who was killed by her former partner George in June 2019 after years of coercive control, intimidation, and physical abuse.

The review spans a decade of agency involvement, highlighting missed opportunities for routine and targeted enquiry, failure to link Siobhan’s mental health presentations and post-natal depression to domestic abuse, and gaps in safeguarding responses for her two children. Despite disclosures of historic abuse and coercive behaviour to health and mental health services, referrals to specialist domestic abuse support were not made.

Key learning themes include:

• The need for proactive risk assessment
• Recognition of increased danger at separation
• Improved multi-agency information sharing, and stronger links between domestic abuse, mental health, and substance misuse.
• The need for enhanced professional curiosity, trauma-informed practice, and a whole-system approach to safeguarding victims and children.

DHR in the case of Siobhan final report (PDF, 845kb)

Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Siobhan (PDF, 81kb)