Four Metropolitan Police officers are under investigation for misconduct after two women were murdered by a man they had complained about to the force.
Handyman Carl Cooper, 66, was jailed for life in July for the murders of Naomi Hunte, 41, who was stabbed in the chest, and Fiona Holm, 48, whose body has never been found.
Both women had been in a relationship with Cooper around a year apart and had complained to police about his violence and harassment.
The Met has confirmed the officers were under investigation for misconduct in relation to a complaint Ms Holm made against Cooper for assault in April 2023.
Cooper was not charged following the attack despite being arrested, the Met said.
Ms Holm, of south east London, is believed to have died around two months later on June 20, 2023.
Her body has never been found. The families of both women have said the Met failed to protect their loved ones whose complaints were disregarded.
A review into the management of Ms Holm’s complaint concluded a more thorough investigation could have identified key witnesses, who could have provided strong evidence for a victimless prosecution against Cooper.
During the murder trial, Woolwich Crown Court heard Ms Hunte, who was found stabbed to death on her sofa in south east London on Valentine’s Day in 2022, made a number of domestic callouts to police to her home in 2020 and 2021 and told them he was “obsessed” with her.
In a police call-out to her home on June 29 2021, she told officers Cooper “stalks me and I’m really scared now”.
Ms Holme's daughter Savannah, 28, told the Times although her mother had ADHD and alcohol issues and that was part of the reason the police had not investigated thoroughly.
She said: "I think the police officers didn't take an interest because ahs was an alcoholic and had Jamaican in her. If she was white it would have been dealt with a whole lot differently"
“Her kindness could make her vulnerable. Some people used her vulnerability ...she wouldn't see anyone as dangerous. She always believed everyone had good in them.”
On her relationship with Cooper she added: “It was a bit like he controlled her. She wasn't as open as usual. You could tell my mum was just not as talkative, she wasn't as family orientated."
Ms Hunte's father, Basil Hunte, previously told Channel 4 News: "A lot more could have been done to prevent her death."
Met Police Commander Paul Brogden said: “Our thoughts will always remain with Naomi Hunte and Fiona Holm, and we again extend our sincere condolences to their families as they continue to grieve for these two beloved women.
“We have always been clear that we made mistakes when dealing with allegations against Carl Cooper.
“For those mistakes we are extremely sorry.”
He continued: “These matters are currently the subject of several reviews led by the Met’s directorate of professional standards.
“A senior officer from Lewisham met with Fiona’s family to discuss the review of the missing person investigation and I would like to repeat our direct and unequivocal apology for the way they were treated when they reported her missing.
“It is a matter of enduring regret that we did not have sufficient evidence to charge Cooper sooner for the murder of Naomi.“Cooper has still not revealed the location of Fiona’s body.
“We continue our enquiries to find her so that her family can finally lay her to rest.”
