A POLICE watchdog has launched an investigation after a woman's body was found in her home five days after officers had called at the property.

Annie Davidson

A POLICE watchdog has launched an investigation after a woman's body was found in her home five days after officers had called at the property.

Mum-of-two Rosalyn Hunt was found dead at her flat in Victoria Street, Ipswich, on August 9 after a neighbour told police that she had not been seen for three days.

Officers forced their way into the 41-year-old's home and found her dead with chest and neck injuries.

Now the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has is to investigate how Suffolk police handled the case after it emerged officers had been to the address earlier in the week.

Police went to Ms Hunt's home on August 4 after a 999 call was made reporting that a woman was in distress at the flat.

After knocking at the door and checking the outside of the flat, they got no response and updated control room staff about their efforts.

The IPCC said there “was no apparent request for further attendance or for other enquiries to be made.”

Suffolk police referred the matter to the IPCC on 19 October 19 and after an initial assessment the commission announced today that it had launched an official investigation.

Three people have been charged with Ms Hunt's murder.

John Grimwood, 27, of Canham Street, Ipswich, and Paul Clarke, 41, of Mountbatten Court, Ipswich, and a 15-year-old girl who cannot be named for legal reasons are accused of killing her between July 29 and August 9 this year.

Grimwood is also facing a charge of witness intimidation.

A 30-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, who were also arrested in connection with Ms Hunt's death have been released on bail without charge until November 11.

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “We will examine whether the officers did all they reasonably could to establish whether anyone was at risk within the property when they attended the address on 4 August this year.

“We will also consider whether, on the basis of the information available, any subsequent visit to the flat should have been actioned by police themselves, or other follow-up enquiries made.

“I have decided that an independent investigation by the IPCC into the actions of Suffolk police in this matter is appropriate.”

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “Following an extensive investigation, which included further arrests recently, Suffolk Constabulary referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

“An independent investigation is being conducted; due to this and the fact that criminal proceedings are active in the case, we cannot comment any further.”