The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating whether Durham Police officers missed an opportunity to prevent a fatal stabbing in August 2025.
Patricia Hewitt, 42, was allowed to leave by officers minutes before she stabbed Angela Lloyd, 56, to death in Ms Lloyd's Newton Aycliffe home. Ms Hewitt was later sentenced to an indefinite hospital detention order for diminished responsibility manslaughter.
The IOPC confirmed an investigation into Durham Police's contact with Ms Hewitt is now under way. A spokesman said the investigation, which is at an early stage, will examine the nature of police contact with Ms Hewitt and whether there were any missed opportunities to prevent Ms Lloyd's death.
County Durham and Darlington coroner Jeremy Chipperfield stated on Tuesday that issues surrounding Ms Lloyd's death warrant exploration, including Ms Hewitt's contact with police and a care emergency service that reportedly failed to respond quickly to Ms Lloyd's calls for help.