THE case of murdered Thornton Heath mother Janelle Duncan-Bailey has been referred to the police watchdog, a Met pokesman has confirmed today (Saturday).
Police officers are the last people known to have seen the mother of two after they dropped her off in Limpsfield Avenue, Thornton Heath, between 5am and 5.30 am on Wednesday.
A body believed to be that of the 25-year-old was found by police this afternoon in a parked car in Mayfield Crescent, roughly half a mile away.
Referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission is "mandatory in all cases involving a death following police contact," a Met spokesman said.
He added that why police officers seemed not to have waited until Miss Duncan-Bailey, of Pawsons Road, had entered her friend's home was "being looked into."
A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would decide in the coming days "what level of involvement we would have" in the case.
Police officers had driven Miss Duncan-Bailey to Limpsfield Avenue from her ex-partner's home, also in Thornton Heath, the Met said.
She had gone to visit the ex-partner at 4.30am, before agreeing to leave with police officers who were called to a "domestic incident" there.
She had asked the officers to take her to a friend's house in Limpsfield Avenue, where she was dropped off wearing a short-sleeved, leopard skin print dress and no shoes.
A Met spokesman added: "She was last seen walking towards flats in Limpsfield Avenue."
A 30-year-old man was arrested last night (Friday) on suspicion of her murder and remains in police custody.
Miss Duncan Bailey was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon after she failed to pick up her two sons from a friend in Bromley.
She had arranged to leave the two-year-old and seven-year-old there so she could attend a family function.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen Miss Duncan-Bailey on Wednesday morning to come forward.
Detective Inspector Charles King, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, is leading the investigation.
He said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the Limpsfield Avenue area between 5am and 6am to make contact with us.
"Lots of people would have been out and about at that time of the morning, either on their way to work or walking dogs - they may have noticed a woman dressed so distinctively.
"Did you see a black woman around that time wearing a leopard-skin print dress and no shoes? If so, we want to hear from you."
Miss Duncan-Bailey was 5' 5" and of medium build. She had shoulder-length black hair, which might have been enhanced with hair extensions.
Anyone who can assist is asked to call detectives from the Specialist Crime Directorate based at Sutton police station on 020 8721 4054.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police officers are the last people known to have seen the mother of two after they dropped her off in Limpsfield Avenue, Thornton Heath, between 5am and 5.30 am on Wednesday.
A body believed to be that of the 25-year-old was found by police this afternoon in a parked car in Mayfield Crescent, roughly half a mile away.
Referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission is "mandatory in all cases involving a death following police contact," a Met spokesman said.
He added that why police officers seemed not to have waited until Miss Duncan-Bailey, of Pawsons Road, had entered her friend's home was "being looked into."
A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would decide in the coming days "what level of involvement we would have" in the case.
Police officers had driven Miss Duncan-Bailey to Limpsfield Avenue from her ex-partner's home, also in Thornton Heath, the Met said.
She had gone to visit the ex-partner at 4.30am, before agreeing to leave with police officers who were called to a "domestic incident" there.
She had asked the officers to take her to a friend's house in Limpsfield Avenue, where she was dropped off wearing a short-sleeved, leopard skin print dress and no shoes.
A Met spokesman added: "She was last seen walking towards flats in Limpsfield Avenue."
A 30-year-old man was arrested last night (Friday) on suspicion of her murder and remains in police custody.
Miss Duncan Bailey was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon after she failed to pick up her two sons from a friend in Bromley.
She had arranged to leave the two-year-old and seven-year-old there so she could attend a family function.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen Miss Duncan-Bailey on Wednesday morning to come forward.
Detective Inspector Charles King, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, is leading the investigation.
He said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the Limpsfield Avenue area between 5am and 6am to make contact with us.
"Lots of people would have been out and about at that time of the morning, either on their way to work or walking dogs - they may have noticed a woman dressed so distinctively.
"Did you see a black woman around that time wearing a leopard-skin print dress and no shoes? If so, we want to hear from you."
Miss Duncan-Bailey was 5' 5" and of medium build. She had shoulder-length black hair, which might have been enhanced with hair extensions.
Anyone who can assist is asked to call detectives from the Specialist Crime Directorate based at Sutton police station on 020 8721 4054.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
