BLAST HORROR 

Cops probed over death of hero mum killed in blast with ex who ‘stormed home and set off grenade’

POLICE are being investigated over the death of a mum killed in an explosion with her ex after he allegedly stormed her home and set off a grenade.

Jo Shaw, 35, died when the explosion tore through her home in Bristol on May 3.

A smiling Joanne Shaw in a garden.
Jo Shaw was killed in the explosion earlier this monthCredit: Avon and Somerset Constabulary
 

Ryan Kelly in a black leather jacket, sitting in a car.
Her ex Ryan Kelly was also killed when he allegedly detonated a grenadeCredit: Facebook
Her ex – Ryan Kelly, 41 – who was previously jailed for his role in a “Breaking Bad” drug gang, “forced entry” into the property before an “explosive device” was set off deliberately inside the home, cops said.

Brave Jo saved her young child’s life when she told them to go outside and play on a trampoline moments before the blast.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has now launched a probe into whether Avon and Somerset Police took “appropriate steps” to protect Jo before her death.

She and Kelly had a history of domestic incidents, the force said as it referred itself to the police watchdog.

An aerial view of a street with several brick houses and police presence following a suspicious explosion in Bristol.
Officers were on their way to the home when the explosion happenedCredit: PA
 

Brick house with a boarded-up window and police tape across the foreground.
Jo saved her child by sending them outside to play on a trampolineCredit: SWNS
The IOPC confirmed today cops last had contact with Jo four days before the explosion and the investigation would look at past incidents over a five-year period, from May 2021.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected at this very difficult time.

“We are independent of the police and it is important that we carry out a thorough investigation, to fully establish the circumstances of what happened prior to the tragic events of May 3.

“There is a significant history of police involvement in relation to Mr Kelly’s behaviour, including allegations of stalking, harassment and assault which we need to examine as part of our investigation.

Ryan Kelly, who died in a house explosion in Bristol, standing with a horse and a dog.
Kelly was previously jailed for his role in a drug gangCredit: Enterprise
 

Forensic officers investigate the scene of an explosion in Bristol.
He was also killed in the blastCredit: Jon Rowley
“We are reviewing extensive documentation detailing that history as part of our inquiries.

“We will be keeping all interested parties updated as our investigation, which is at an early stage, progresses.”

An inquest heard previously Jo’s death was given as “penetrating fragmentation blast injury to the chest and pelvis”.

Three other people, including a child, sustained minor injuries in the blast.

Coroner’s officer Abigail Carey told the hearing she was pronounced dead at home by paramedics at 7am, shortly after the horror.

Avon Coroner’s Court heard Jo, who was single and who worked as a personal assistant, was formally identified by her family.

Assistant Avon coroner Debbie Rookes adjourned proceedings and requested further reports from a general practitioner, the police, ambulance service and pathologist.

The coroner said: “The file will be reviewed by a coroner on July 20 and I will provisionally list this matter for an inquest hearing here at Avon Coroner’s Court on August 11, 2026.”

The horror unfolded at around 6.30am when armed cops were already on their way to the home for a “domestic-related” incident.

Emergency services including the British Army‘s ordnance disposal teams were scrambled after the explosion, which went off 13 minutes after the initial 999 call.

Avon and Somerset Police said it is treating the “deliberate” explosion as “suspicious”.

Kelly was previously jailed for five years after he supplied cocaine as part of a “Breaking Bad” drugs gang.

The 41-year-old was sentenced to five years in 2015 after admitting conspiracy to supply the Class A drug alongside seven other men.

Paying tribute previously, Jo’s family said she put “herself between danger and those she loved” in the “ultimate sacrifice”.

They added that Jo “brought warmth, kindness, and strength into the lives of countless people” and she will “be missed more than words can ever express”.

They said that Jo’s child has “suffered the unimaginable loss” and described Joanne’s love for them as “boundless”.

Joanne was well known in the community for her “bubbly, friendly personality” and “infectious laugh”.

Her loved ones added: “She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and strength that will never be forgotten.

“Joanne’s actions were nothing short of heroic. She showed extraordinary strength, selflessness, and love in the face of unimaginable fear, placing herself between danger and those she loved.

“She will always be remembered not for the violence inflicted upon her, but for her bravery, her protective instinct, and the ultimate sacrifice she made for others.

They continued: “We love you forever, sweetheart. Mummy, I miss you and love you so much.”