Costessey deaths: Dad found dead with daughters & sister-in-law was assessed as ‘no risk’ weeks before ‘murder suicide’
A DAD found dead with his daughters and sister-in-law was assessed as “no risk” just weeks before the “murder suicide”.
Bartlomiej Kuczynska, 45, Jasmin Kuczynska, 12, her eight-year-old sister Natasha, and their aunt Kanticha Noon, 36, were found dead at their home in Costessey, Norwich on Friday.
Norfolk Police yesterday revealed Jasmin and Natasha had died from knife wounds to the neck with cops launching a murder probe into the deaths of the girls and their aunt.
The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for attending the home on December 14 in connection with a missing person enquiry involving Bartlomiej.
Medical staff spoke to Bartlomiej when cops brought him in after finding him near his home following the missing person report.
But they concluded he was “no risk” to himself or others and he left Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital later the same day.
This followed a “comprehensive clinical assessment” from medical staff.
An NNUH spokesman said: “We can confirm that the patient was taken to the emergency department by police on December 14.
“Following a comprehensive clinical assessment, the patient was assessed as having mental capacity and he left the unit before being reviewed again by the team.”
The hospital does not specialise in mental health services, which are handled by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, but its A&E department can be used for urgent assessments.
The question of whether warning signs could have been spotted earlier will probably feature in an inquest into the deaths.
The police watchdog has already launched a probe into the quadruple tragedy in Costessey, Norfolk, over previous contact with the dad.
Bartlomiej Kuczynska’s death is not being treated as suspicious and cops are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Police have also referred themselves to the watchdog, after not responding to a 999 call Bartlomiej made from the home not long before the bodies were found.
However, officers were not deployed until a second call from a member of the public shortly before 7am.
Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess, who is leading the investigation, spoke about the girls’ heartbreaking deaths.
He said: “We understand how incredibly shocking this incident is for all involved and for the wider community and that this latest update adds to the sense of heartbreak.
“Our thoughts are with the family of those found at the property grieving such a traumatic loss.
“We would like to thank the community for their help and will continue to provide reassurance patrols in the area.
“A cordon will remain on at the address whilst we finalise our detailed examination of the scene.”
How mystery still remains over quadruple tragedy
QUESTIONS have been mounting over how the four deaths happened after it was revealed dad Bartlomiej called 999.
Despite warning officers over his mental state, he was told to seek medical advice.
Here are some unanswered questions that remain over the tragedy.
Why did cops fail to respond to the call?
Norfolk Police have still not confirmed why they didn’t send officers to the home when Bartlomiej expressed concerns.
He told 999 he had “concerns” for his mental state and was “confused”.
The IOPC is now investigating why that call was ignored.
What is the ‘missing person’ enquiry?
In a second IOPC referral, it was revealed police had prior contact with the family before the tragedy.
Officers confirmed this was in connection to a missing person’s enquiry in December 14.
It was reported Bartlomiej had gone missing but was later found wandering in woodland.
Why did cops only respond to the second call?
The alarm was raised an hour after the first 999 call when a dog walker raised concerns for the welfare of people inside.
It is not yet clear why that phonecall was responded to but the dad’s was ignored.