THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION into the death of showjumper Katie Simpson was “flawed”, a Northern Ireland police watchdog review has concluded.

The Police Ombudsman investigation also found it had “failed” her family.

The 21-year-old from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin Area Hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, on 3 August 2020.

Police originally thought she had taken her own life.

It was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Katie’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The trial of Creswell, 36, for the murder of Katie ended in April following his sudden death.

The Ombudsman’s investigation concluded that the police investigation was hindered by the misleading working assumption adopted by a number of officers that Katie’s injuries were self-inflicted.

They criticised a “lack of investigative mindset” taking into account police had received intelligence that Katie may have been the victim of controlling behaviours, that the attempted suicide was suspicious, that she had not fallen from a horse, and that medical staff had also expressed concerns about the circumstances of her injuries.

Police Ombudsman chief executive Hugh Hume said although this intelligence was viewed and logged by police, it “did not change the direction of the police investigation”.

“There appeared to be a general lack of an investigative mindset which contributed to shortcomings,” he said.

The investigation found there were no effective searches carried out at Katie’s address and that no supervisory officer attended the house at the initial stages of the investigation.

Among the other investigative failings identified by the Police Ombudsman was the lack of consideration given to gathering potential physical evidence from Katie herself, including blood samples and photographs of her injuries, despite police being aware at an early stage that she was unlikely to survive.

The Police Ombudsman investigation identified breaches of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Code of Ethics in respect of professional duty, the conduct of police investigations and the duty of supervisors.

As a result, disciplinary recommendations were made to the PSNI in respect of six police officers. No action was taken against three officers, two of whom had retired and one for whom no misconduct was proven.

One police officer received a written warning, another received action aimed at improving performance and one received management advice.

A number of recommendations have been made.

In a statement today responding to the review, Assistant Chief Contable Davy Beck acknowledged the investiagtion’s shortcomings and apologised for them.

She said the PSNI will continue to “hold a mirror” to itself and act on the recommendations.

“Too many women and girls are caught in a cycle of fear and violence, too afraid to come forward. I urge victims to speak to us – we are here to listen, to help and to keep you safe. There is much work to be done but we will continue to be unyielding in our investigations into violence, intimidation and abuse of women and girls,” she said.

“I’m mindful that, even as I speak, Katie’s loving family and close friends continue to suffer terribly, and my thoughts are with them.

“No family should ever have to experience what they are going through.”