AN independent police investigation into the death of a woman who died in her North East home following police contact has found that officers “did all they could” to help save her life and have cleared the emergency crew of any wrongdoing.
Yasmin Jasiak, 54, was found dead on March 17, 2021, several days after Northumbria Police officers visited the private residence due to concerns raised by a neighbour.
An inquest held last week concluded that the cause of death was cardiac arrest associated with hanging, due to post traumatic stress disorder and intoxication.
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On March 16, Northumbria Police sent two police officers to visit Ms Jasiak, who arrived at her home just before 11pm.
When they arrived, the officers found Ms Jasiak upset and distressed, but after speaking to her for a period of time she declined all assistance
The officers took advice from the force mental health Street Triage Team, who advised them that, in the circumstances, they should leave the house.
After the officers left, it was established that an unidentified woman sent a text message to a London based charity saying that she was going to take her own life.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) made various attempts to identify and locate the woman and, on doing so, passed her name and location to Northumbria Police.
The police force recognised that it was the same woman the officers had previously attended to, and the original officers returned to Ms Jasiak’s address.
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After finding her unresponsive, they performed CPR and called for an ambulance.
Alongside the inquest and Northumbria Police looking into the matter, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also carried out their own investigation, which concluded in July 2021, following a mandatory referral from Northumbria Police.
After analysing the case, the IOPC found that officers working on the case “acted in line with procedures and did all they could to help save her life,” while also finding no evidence to suggest that Northumbria Police officers may have caused or contributed to Ms Jasiak’s death.
IOPC regional director, Miranda Biddle, said: “Our thoughts remain with Ms Jasiak’s family and friends and all those affected by her death.
“These officers found themselves in a distressing situation and we agree with the coroner, who commended their efforts to try to save Ms Jasiak’s life in the difficult circumstances they faced.
“It is our role to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the death of someone who dies following or during contact with the police.
“Evidence gathered during our investigation was shared with the coroner to help inform the inquest into Ms Jasiak’s death, hopefully helping to answer any outstanding questions her family may have had.”
Samaritans have reached out to urge anyone in distress to call them on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. People can also call SANEline on 0300 304 7000, CALM on 0800 58 58 58 or the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652.
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