THE terms of reference for an independent review into the handling of the murder of Katie Simpson have been released.
Ms Simpson, a 21-year-old showjumper from Tynan in Co. Armagh, died in Altnagelvin hospital in Derry in August 2020.
Her death came almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney on August 3, 2020.
Police originally thought she had taken her own life, however a year later Jonathon Creswell, the partner of Ms Simpson’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Creswell was subsequently charged with the rape and murder of Miss Simpson.
In April 2024 he was found dead at his home while his trial was underway.
Katie SimpsonHe had previously been jailed after being convicted of assaulting a former partner in 2009 and it has since been revealed that he was not under a risk management plan at the time of Miss Simpson’s death.
Last month Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed she has commissioned a review to establish whether opportunities were missed to refer Creswell into the Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland (PPANI).
The details of the review have now been published and Ms Long has confirmed Jan Melia, the former CEO of the Women’s Aid Federation NI, as the independent reviewer who will lead the review.
“Today as I announce more information into this bespoke review, my thoughts are very much with the family of Katie Simpson indeed, all of Jonathan Creswell’s victims,” Ms Long said.
“Tragically we cannot turn back the hands of time but what we can do is learn lessons from the past so that they are not repeated in the future,” she explained.
“Katie’s family will very much be at the centre of this review, which is not about apportioning blame to any organisation – but constructive engagement and a learning-based approach.
“It is crucial the focus is on collective, system-wide learning.”
Key agencies, including the PSNI, Probation Board NI (PBNI), Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WH&SCT), have been contacted to contribute to the review.