Mother's inquest paused for police conduct inquiry

An inquest into the death of a mother-of-three who was fatally stabbed has been delayed for an investigation into police conduct.

Courtney Mitchell, 26, from Ipswich, died on 6 August after being murdered in the town by her former partner, Logan Burnett.

He was jailed for life in February and told he must serve a minimum of 23 years and 173 days.

Senior coroner Nigel Parsley said his office's work would continue to be paused while a separate investigation into previous contact between the victim and Essex Police was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

In a statement, the IOPC said it was "independently investigating recent contact that Essex Police had with Courtney Mitchell, prior to her tragic death".

It also confirmed four Essex Police officers and a member of staff had been notified that they were under investigation for potential misconduct.

"At the end of our investigation we will decide whether any police officers or staff should face disciplinary proceedings," the IOPC said.

An initial inquest into Ms Mitchell's death was opened and adjourned in October.

In February, Ipswich Crown Court heard Burnett "formed a plan to murder" Ms Mitchell "motivated by obsessive jealously" after she started a new relationship.

Before the attack, the court heard Burnett had repeatedly threatened her and her friends and ransacked her apartment in Colchester.

She had been walking along Burrell Road towards Ipswich skate park just after 19:00 BST when Burnett, of All Saints Road in the town, chased her and stabbed her multiple times.

The Suffolk coroner said: "Her inquest will need to remain suspended whilst we await the outcome."

He added that a further date for the hearing would be listed "in due course".

Stuart Hooper, the Assistant Chief Constable of Essex Police, said: "I share the condolences of everyone at Essex Police with Courtney's family, as we have done since Logan Burnett's terrible actions in August last year.

"The life sentence he received was the only appropriate course of action the courts could take – and it goes no way to filling the void left in the lives of those that loved Courtney.

"Our work to improve our processes and give every victim and member of the public the best possible support as a force happens every day."

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