Investigation and inquest
On the 3rd January 2020 I opened an investigation touching the death of Imane Bouasbia, aged 30 years old. I opened and inquest on the 15th January 2020. The inquest concluded on the 22nd September 2020.
The conclusion of the inquest was suicide.
The record of inquest stated, “On 3rd January 2020 Ms Imane Bouasbia was struck by Central Line tube train at Newbury Park Station, she was killed instantly.”
The medical cause of death was; 1a Multiple Injuries, 1b Blunt Force Trauma.
Circumstances of the death
Ms Bouasbia was the victim of a sexual assault on 1st January 2020.
On 2nd January 2020 she made a complaint to the police in which she stated, “I wish I was dead”. Officer 1 attended on Ms Bouasbia and took an initial account, during which the complainant voiced further suicidal thoughts. The case was handed over to Officer 2 a trained SOIT specialist. In the handover no mention of suicidal thoughts was made clear.
On 3rd January 2020 Ms Bouasbia sent Officer 2 a text message stating, “....I am having suicidal thoughts”.
Later that day Ms Bouasbia stepped in front of a moving Central Line tube train at Newbury Park Station, she was killed instantly.
Coroner’s concerns
a. The failure of Officer 1 to effectively communicate to Officer 2 either verbally or in the CRIS handover, that Ms Bouasbia had expressed the view that she wished to end her own life following the attack she sustained on 1st Jan 2020.
b. The failure of Officer 2 to complete a risk assessment of Ms Bouasbia regarding thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
c. The police reaction to Ms Bouasbia’s text message at of 3rd January 2020 indicating suicidal thoughts was limited to a non-expedited instruction on a CAD action. The only response to Ms Bouasbia was a further text message rather than a telephone call.