"We are no closer to closure".. Family pay tribute to woman found dead at home of sex offender

Kelly Faiers was found in Minehead in October

Jazz (left) and Tania (right)
Author: Jess PaynePublished 18th Jan 2024

The daughters of a woman found dead in Minehead say “it’s hard to grieve when there’s no answers at the moment.”

27-year-old Jazz Faiers, and Tania Jackson, 40, have paid tribute to their mum who died last October.

“She was a kind lady, she would help anybody, she never saw the bad in anybody, always smiling, loved her family, loved her children - an all-round happy person,” said Tania.

Kelly Faiers' body was found in the home of Richard Scatchard on the 16th October.

Avon and Somerset police have previously described Scatchard as a "a risk to the public, specifically women", a man who used different names and was prolific on dating apps.

Officers spoke to Scatchard the morning they found Kelly.

That afternoon, they returned to ask him more questions, but he had gone and has been missing since.

The investigation “started off badly, very badly we were left for a number of days without knowing it was suspicious,” said Jazz

Jazz explained that as the investigation continues: “it’s hard to receive updates when I don’t believe there are any updates.”

After an official complaint made by the family the police have now referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). A statement reads:

"We can confirm we have recently received a complaint from Kelly's family in respect to the police response. The complaint has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Thursday 4 January.

"Our Professional Standards Department was made aware of the incident and our response at an early stage and we will assist the IOPC in any way we can in relation to the complaint received."

Jazz and Tania join Avon and Somerset police in urging anyone with information to contact them.

‘Keep your eyes out - anything, no matter how small, report it,” Tania said.

Avon and Somerset Police said: “We continue to conduct searches to find Richard Scatchard, who is wanted on a prison recall and who we wish to speak to in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers in Minehead in October.

"We have made a number of public appeals and a Crimestoppers reward remains live for information that could lead to his arrest. We urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact us.

"We have received a large number of reported sightings of Scatchard since he was last seen on the morning of Monday 16 October. These have been reviewed, but none have been confirmed as the 70-year-old.”

"The National Crime Agency has been supporting our efforts to locate Scatchard by providing specialist advice to help us develop our continuing search plans in a bid to find him.

"Kelly's death continues to be treated as a murder inquiry at this time. Family liaison officers are in regular contact with her family to keep them updated and to provide support."

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