Police Inquiry Exposes Critical Failure in Double Murder Case
A shocking investigation has revealed that a 999 call reporting a murder was incorrectly classified as a hoax by police, in a case involving a violent abuser who killed two women. Carl Cooper, 66, is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted in July 2024 for the murders of Naomi Hunte, 41, and Fiona Holm, 48. Both victims had previously reported Cooper's abusive behavior to authorities, highlighting systemic failures in police response.
Disciplinary Actions Against Ten Met Police Officers
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that ten Metropolitan Police officers have been served with disciplinary notices as part of an ongoing probe into the force's contact with Hunte and Holm prior to their deaths. This includes a police constable from the control centre who received a misconduct notice last month related to the hoax-marked call.
According to the IOPC, an anonymous caller stated on June 25, 2023, that Cooper had murdered someone that week. This call was made just days before Fiona Holm was reported missing; she is believed to have died on June 20, 2023. The misclassification of this urgent report as a hoax represents a grave error in police procedure.
Expanded Investigation into Police Handling
IOPC director Amanda Rowe detailed that the investigation initially focused on police actions following Holm's report of an assault by Cooper in April 2023. This led to a detective sergeant and a detective constable being investigated for potential gross misconduct, with a detective inspector and two police constables under scrutiny for potential misconduct.
The Met Police has previously acknowledged that Cooper was not charged after being arrested for the April 2023 assault, despite the serious allegations. Rowe further explained that the inquiry widened in September, resulting in gross misconduct notices being served on three police constables and a police sergeant concerning reports Hunte made about Cooper in April and October 2021.
Victims' Repeated Pleas for Help Ignored
During Cooper's trial at Woolwich Crown Court, it emerged that Naomi Hunte, found stabbed to death on her sofa in south-east London on Valentine's Day 2022, had made multiple domestic violence reports to police in 2020 and 2021. She explicitly told officers that Cooper was "obsessed" with her and, in a call-out on June 29, 2021, expressed fear, stating he "stalks me and I'm really scared now."
The investigation was launched in late 2024 after complaints from the victims' families, who alleged "serious shortcomings" in police investigations before the murders. Rowe emphasized that serving conduct notices does not guarantee disciplinary proceedings, but a final decision will be made at the investigation's conclusion.
Apology and Ongoing Scrutiny
The Metropolitan Police has issued an apology for "mistakes" made in handling allegations against Cooper. This case underscores ongoing concerns about police responsiveness to domestic violence reports and the critical need for improved protocols to prevent such tragedies. All involved parties are being kept informed as the IOPC continues its thorough examination of these devastating failures.
