Police 'missed chances' to protect murdered mum

Courtney Mitchell was mother to two sons and one daughter

The mother of a woman murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend said police had "played a part in her death" after a senior officer admitted opportunities to protect her "were missed".

Mother-of-three Courtney Mitchell, 26, was fatally stabbed by Logan Burnett in Ipswich last summer after a prolonged campaign of abuse.

Samantha Mitchell, 47, said she believed her "little girl would still be here today" had police "done their job correctly".

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found four Essex Police officers "potentially breached standards" but none will face disciplinary action. The force said changes had been made to improve support for domestic abuse victims.

Samantha Mitchell told the BBC more should have been done to protect her daughter after concerns about domestic violence were raised

Ms Mitchell described the decision as no more than a "slap on the wrist".

"The officers didn't kill her but they played their part in her death," she said.

"They can go home to their lovely homes but my daughter paid the ultimate price and is in the cold, hard ground forever, so there's no justice there whatsoever.

"She was always let down throughout her life and I will not have her let down in her death - she will get the justice she deserves."

Logan Burnett admitted murdering Miss Mitchell

Miss Mitchell was described as "fun, fierce and extremely loyal" by her family

Burnett, 27, formerly of All Saints Road, Ipswich, was jailed for a minimum of 23 years in February.

A drug dealer with a long list of previous convictions, he "executed" Miss Mitchell in an attack "motivated by obsessive jealousy" over her new relationship, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Burnett raided Miss Mitchell's flat in Colchester and set fire to her clothes

Burnett attacked Miss Mitchell as she walked towards Ipswich Skate Park on 6 August last year

Miss Mitchell and Burnett were in an on-off relationship from the beginning of 2024 until around the end of July last year, when she moved from Ipswich to Colchester.

Burnett had been banned from communicating with Miss Mitchell or visiting her home, having previously been arrested and bailed by Suffolk Police for reportedly threatening to kill her.

He had flooded her home in Colchester, smashed her TV, left stab marks on her bed, torched her clothes and bragged about his plans to kill her.

Her family said they had raised concerns with both Suffolk and Essex forces "multiple times" in the weeks before her murder, including on the day of her death, but that their pleas for help had been ignored.

Floral tributes and a photo of Miss Mitchell were left at the scene of the fatal attack

Asked by the BBC for the outcome of its investigation into both forces, the IOPC said that in July last year Essex Police officers had failed to attend Miss Mitchell's home following a report of a domestic assault, made when Burnett was believed to still be present.

They also failed to complete a domestic abuse safety plan.

It was also alleged an "unprofessional and discourteous" call handler failed to carry out checks following a call from Miss Mitchell's sister and dad six days before she was killed.

"We found that there was a case to answer for misconduct for four individuals from Essex Police," an IOPC spokesperson said.

"We determined that the potential breaches for all individuals could be dealt with via the reflective practice review process rather than disciplinary proceedings.

"We have identified potential areas of learning in terms of their response to domestic abuse incidents and we will be liaising with them to progress these.

"Our final report has been shared with HM Coroner to assist with inquest proceedings."

An inquest into Miss Mitchell's death was first opened in October and paused in April, pending a full hearing at a date yet to be set.

Miss Mitchell's family, who wore T-shirts with her face printed on them, were emotional outside Ipswich Crown Court after Burnett was jailed for a minimum of 23 years

Stuart Hooper, assistant chief constable of Essex Police, said: "We recognise opportunities for safeguarding were missed.

"We have made changes to our working procedures which improve our communication with other forces where victims move between force areas."

He offered to discuss the family's concerns directly with them.

"We're improving how we support victims and callers every day, ensuring offences are identified quickly and the right help is given the first time," he said.

"We offer our deepest condolences to everyone who continues to live with her loss."

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said the force's thoughts remained with Miss Mitchell's family.

"We have worked closely with IOPC throughout the investigation and will continue to do so.

"We are awaiting the finalised areas of learning from the IOPC and these will be reviewed to identify the most appropriate method of learning from the recommendations."

Miss Mitchell's sister Charleigh and her mother say they are still seeking justice

Ms Mitchell told the BBC she would never get over the death of her daughter

Miss Mitchell was pronounced dead at Ipswich Hospital.

"When the doctor told me she had died, I just remember seeing my daughter [Charleigh] fall to her knees, her dad flip the table, my son drain of colour, and my body go into shock," said Ms Mitchell.

"My whole body just drained and it was the worst feeling of my life. But even though she was gone, I just needed her to know I was there."

Charleigh said even "the littlest things" could trigger grief following her sister's murder

Charleigh Mitchell, 29, said coming to terms with her sister's death was not getting easier.

"It's the littlest things that can trigger you. Even cutting a piece of fruit with a knife or seeing blood can be triggering; just normal, mundane things," she said.

"We won't ever accept that she is gone or the way she went, but we're hoping we can find moments of happiness."

According to The Domestic Homicide Project, there were 1,012 domestic abuse-related deaths in England and Wales between April 2020 and March 2024.

About three-quarters of all victims were female and almost half the deaths were recorded as domestic homicides, most of which were committed by a current or ex-partner.

"No, [women who report domestic violence aren't taken seriously], because the men get bailed and they don't care, so you might as well just hand them the woman as they walk out of the police station," Ms Mitchell said.

"This cannot keep happening, and something needs to change."

Katherine Ahluwalia, principal operations manager for Suffolk's Restore Women's Aid, said victims and survivors of domestic abuse were listened to by domestic abuse services

Katherine Ahluwalia, of domestic abuse charity Restore Women's Aid, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said: "Every week women are dying and it's shocking and really saddening that the figures are not coming down - it doesn't feel like it's getting any better.

"If any survivor or victim comes to a domestic abuse service they will be believed but it's heartbreaking and your heart goes out to the family and friends of that victim because their worst nightmare has come true."

• Details of support for domestic abuse in the UK are available at the BBC Action Line.