IPCC clear police over Thames Valley death

Thames Valley Police has been cleared of misconduct after a Buckinghamshire woman who was taken into custody killed herself a day after being released.

The body of Marilyn Bowden, 53, from Chesham, was found in Berkhampsted Road on 7 November. She had been arrested and released on 6 November.

A coroner recorded Mrs Bowden had taken her own life.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said there was no evidence of any misconduct.

Thames Valley Police notified the IPCC of the death because Mrs Bowden had been in custody shortly before her death.

'Sad case'

The IPCC said accounts had been taken from all officers and police staff who had contact with Mrs Bowden, police records were also checked and custody CCTV was examined.

An officer who interviewed Mrs Bowden told the investigation she had been talking positively about starting a new job.

The custody assistant also described Mrs Bowden as being chatty and talking about the future.

IPCC Commissioner for south east, Mike Franklin, said: "This is a very sad case and it must be incredibly difficult for Mrs Bowden's family to deal with her death.

"It is also difficult for those officers who took care of Mrs Bowden while she was in custody, to know that she took her own life the very next day.

"This investigation focused on whether or not there was anything that could have been done while Mrs Bowden was in custody to prevent her death and we have concluded that, sadly, there was not."