‘Devoted mum’ died from blast injuries in Bristol house explosion, inquest told

18 May 2026 • 7:18 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

‘Devoted mum’ died from blast injuries in Bristol house explosion, inquest told

  • Jo Shaw, 35, died from blast injuries following an explosion at her Bristol home on 3 May.
  • Her former partner, Ryan Kelly, 41, also died in the incident, which Avon and Somerset Police are treating as a deliberate homicide.
  • Police are not seeking any other suspects in connection with the explosion, which also left three others, including a child, with minor injuries.
  • An inquest into Ms Shaw's death was opened, revealing she suffered penetrating fragmentation blast injuries to her chest and pelvis.
  • Ms Shaw's family paid tribute to her, describing her as a devoted mother whose actions were "heroic" in protecting her child.

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