DARDR Steven (2022)

This Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) was published in March 2022 and examines the circumstances surrounding the murder of Steven, aged 52, who died in August 2019 after being stabbed by Roland, his partner’s teenage son, during a violent confrontation at the family home.

The review explores Steven’s vulnerabilities, including head injuries, low mood, housing instability, and social isolation, alongside complex family dynamics involving Karen (his partner) and Roland, who had a history of behavioural difficulties and cultural pressures linked to Gypsy/Traveller heritage.

Key learning themes include:

• Missed opportunities for routine enquiry into domestic abuse
• Lack of recognition of adolescent-to-parent violence
• Gaps in multi-agency safeguarding processes
• Barriers that prevented Steven from seeking help—such as stigma, cultural norms, and housing insecurity
• Improved awareness of domestic abuse in non-intimate family contexts
• Better coordination between agencies
• Enhanced training on coercive control and adolescent violence
• Stronger public access to early help services to prevent similar tragedies.

These lessons aim to strengthen safeguarding responses and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

DHR in the case of Steven final report (PDF, 591kb)

Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Steven (PDF, 84kb)