Katie Madden

Katie Madden is the subject of renewed attention due to the circumstances surrounding her death by suicide. Prior to her death, Madden had allegedly been assaulted by her ex-partner, Jonathon Russell, who was on bail and prohibited from contacting her. A phone call between Madden and Russell occurred shortly before her death, during which, according to a witness, Russell was verbally abusive. Following Madden's death, the police dropped the domestic violence inquiry. Madden's case is now newsworthy because it highlights the challenges faced by police in investigating domestic abuse cases that lead to suicide, particularly regarding resource limitations and holding abusers accountable. It underscores the National Police Chiefs’ Council's (NPCC) acknowledgement of the need for more posthumous investigations and the broader issue of domestic abuse constituting a significant portion of overall crime.