Investigation into four Met officers after two women murdered by man they repeatedly reported

Four Met officers are under investigation after two women were murdered by a man they repeatedly complained about to police. 

Handyman Carl Cooper, 66, from Lewisham, was jailed for life for the murders of Naomi Hunte, 41, who was stabbed to death, and Fiona Holm, 48, following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court in July. Ms Holm’s body has never been found.

Both women had been in a relationship with Cooper, and had complained to police about his violence before their deaths.

Last week, the Met confirmed that four officers were under investigation for misconduct in relation to a Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) complaint made by Ms Holm in April 2023.

Cooper was not charged following the attack, despite being arrested, the force said.

In February 2022, Ms Hunte was found stabbed to death at her flat in Congleton Grove, Greenwich.

She had made a number of calls to police over the previous two years, telling officers that Cooper was stalking and harassing her, the murder trial heard.

Cooper was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released on bail, under investigation. 

He went on to murder Ms Holm, who went missing from Hither Green 16 months later. 

Ms Holm, from Blackheath, is believed to have died on June 20, 2023, two months after she reported the GBH complaint to the Met.

Cooper has never revealed the location of Ms Holm’s body, police said.

A review into the management of Ms Holm’s complaint concluded a more thorough investigation could have identified key witnesses, who could have provided strong evidence for a victimless prosecution against Cooper, according to BBC News.

Apologising for failures by the force, Commander Paul Brogden said: “Our thoughts will always remain with Naomi Hunte and Fiona Holm, and we again extend our sincere condolences to their families as they continue to grieve for these two beloved women.

“We have always been clear that we made mistakes when dealing with allegations against Carl Cooper. For those mistakes we are extremely sorry.

“These matters are currently the subject of several reviews led by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

“A senior officer from Lewisham met with Fiona’s family to discuss the review of the missing person investigation and I would like to repeat our direct and unequivocal apology for the way they were treated when they reported her missing.”

Commander Brogden said it is a matter of “enduring regret” that the force did not have “sufficient evidence” to charge Cooper sooner for the murder of Ms Hunte.

The four officers are being investigated in relation to Ms Hunte’s GBH complaint.

This was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which advised it should be a local investigation, but the watchdog will review its findings, the Met said.

Pictured top: From left, Fiona Holm and Naomi Hunte  (Picture: The Met)