Inquest concludes Grantham mum who died after reporting an assault by her partner was unlawfully killed
It follows an inquest into her death
A Grantham mum who died hours after reporting an assault by her partner to the Police was unlawfully killed - an inquest jury has concluded
Daniela Espirito Santo died in April 2020.
The jury found the 23 year old died as a result of "severe emotional stress" caused by an assault which led to sudden cardiac death.
Her partner was arrested the day before Ms Espirito Santo's death after he allegedly pinned her down - but he was released on bail with conditions not to go to her house or contact her but the jury was told he breached them.
The jury heard Ms Espirito Santo dialled 999 to report an assault - but was told to ring 101 - she was kept on hold for eight minutes - when they answered the handler could only hear her six-month-old baby crying.
Ms Espirito Santo suffered from a heart condition called myocarditis
The jury also found there were 'missed opportunities to safeguard Daniela'
Lincolnshire Police said 'we apologise for where we could have done more'.
An ambulance was called to Ms Espirito Santo's address, where she was found unconscious and despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at 12.58am.
Ms Espirito Santo suffered from a heart condition called myocarditis and died that night as a result of myocardial insufficiency "precipitated by an altercation", the jury found.
Police interviews with Mr Jesus following his partner's death confirmed he was "fully aware" of the seriousness of her condition and how dangerous it could be.
Ms Espirito Santo had called Lincolnshire Police multiple times between May 2019 and her death in April 2020 about the domestic abuse she endured with Mr Jesus.
He was arrested on April 8, the day before his partner's death, after he allegedly pinned down Ms Espirito Santo and restrained her throat.
He was released on bail at 6pm that evening on the condition he did not go to her address or contact her, but he breached these conditions shortly after, the jury was told.
Police officers did not identify or report Mr Jesus for coercive and controlling behaviour
Dr Jacqueline Sebire, an assistant professor who has decades of experience in policing, previously told the inquest it was "inconceivable" that Mr Jesus was released on bail to live in his car around 200m away from where the assault happened.
Dr Sebire said there were other "missed opportunities" including the fact police officers did not identify or report Mr Jesus for coercive and controlling behaviour, and that incidents of domestic abuse were dealt with "in isolation".
She added that key decision-makers' domestic abuse training was outdated and that updating this would have been helpful in identifying coercive and controlling behaviour.
The jury found "officers did not carry out their duties in accordance with the APP (authorised professional practice)" and there were "significant missed opportunities to safeguard Daniela".
The jury spokesperson added: "If these actions had been carried out, then the former partner on balance would have remained in custody."
We apologise to Daniela's children, her family and her friends for the suffering they have endured since her death, and for where we could have done more
Chief Constable Paul Gibson, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "Following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Daniela Espirito Santo, our thoughts today are with her and her family and friends - in particular her two children.
"The jury have identified that Lincolnshire Police could have done more in our interactions with Daniela, and with her then-partner.
"We apologise to Daniela's children, her family and her friends for the suffering they have endured since her death, and for where we could have done more.
Daniela was the most caring, loyal, heart-warming person
"There is more work to be done in our prevention of and response to domestic abuse, along with the changes already made and we can speak about those later, for today we send our sincere condolences to Daniela's family and friends."
The family of Ms Espirito Santo said the inquest has "finally given Daniela a voice".
They said: "Daniela was the most caring, loyal, heart-warming person.
She was the light in a room.
She would never judge anyone, ever."
Coroner Paul Smith concluded the inquest by addressing her family and said: "It has undoubtedly been a very difficult three weeks for all of you, I'm aware.
"Nothing I, or the jury, can say today will change the tragic events of the 8th of April or take away the sense of loss I am sure you continue to experience."