Pictured: Man ‘who killed himself and his ex-partner with grenade’ in a Bristol house explosion that left three others injured
The name of a man believed to have killed himself and his ex-girlfriend with a grenade in an explosion at home has been announced locally.
Ryan Kelly, 41, arrived at Joanne Shaw’s home in Bristol and detonated the device on her former partner’s doorstep, a neighbor said.
Armed police had called 999 13 minutes before the explosion and were on their way to the address in Sterncourt Road to respond to a ‘family-related’ incident.
It is thought the young mother recently moved into the terraced house to escape Mr Kelly.
Three people, thought to be his son and two other family members, were also injured in the ‘suspicious’ explosion and were taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries. They have all since been discharged.
The Daily Mail can reveal Mr Kelly was jailed for five years in 2015 for supplying cocaine as part of the ‘Breaking Bad’ drug gang.
An online tribute described Ms Shaw as a ‘wonderful friend’, adding: ‘I can’t believe she is [sic] ‘taken from us’
Forensic officers continued collecting evidence yesterday at his home, where the front window was boarded up.
Broken glass can also be seen on the garden pavement in front of the boarded-up back door.
Ryan Kelly, 41, (pictured) has been named locally as the man believed to have turned up at his ex-girlfriend’s doorstep and detonated the grenade
Officers continue to collect evidence from the address in an investigation described as ‘complex’ and ‘sensitive’ — 4 May 2026
Meanwhile, a poster for a gardening firm, which the Daily Mail understands to belong to Ms Shaw’s brother, was taped to a window.
Today, the twisted frame of a broken window lies leaning against the wall and officers stand outside the cordon at the front of the house.
The manager of a local corner shop, who had known Ms Shaw for almost a decade, described her as a ‘really nice person’.
Trifonova told BBC ‘he always brought positive energy’ and added: ‘We got to know him as more than just a customer; felt like part of our community.
‘Our focus is on remembering him and supporting those who knew and loved him. ‘We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.’
Avon and Somerset Police moved swiftly on Sunday to rule out a terror link and said detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident “at this stage”.
Police have since described the incident as a ‘complex and sensitive investigation’.
Officers also searched an address three miles away in Speedwell, where Mr. Kelly lived with his mother.
Companies House documents linked to this address show Mr Kelly is a director of used car sales firm Vansdam.
His two previously failed business ventures – men’s outerwear firm Ballinderry Clothing and car rental company Aston Hire – were dissolved in 2019 and 2023.
Mr Kelly’s brother declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail, but a number of tributes were posted online.
A video from a friend showed him drinking a beer straight from a bar’s tap, while another commented: ‘Absolutely heartbroken at this sad news. ‘I was with you just a few weeks ago to catch up on a good break.’
Mr Kelly was jailed in 2015 in a case similar to the US TV show Breaking Bad, in which high school chemistry teacher Walter White began producing crystal meth to raise money after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
The bent frame of a shattered window is seen leaning against the wall of the house – May 5, 2026
In this case, 78-year-old genius George Rogers, stricken with cancer, ran the plot from prison despite his illness and hired a self-taught chemist to set up a laboratory and create the highly addictive drug crystal meth.
But unlike the fictional version, the real-life plot ended before undercover police flooded south-west England with drugs after bugging their car.
Following the explosion in Bristol, a bomb disposal unit was deployed and specialist searches were carried out by the British Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department. The area was deemed safe on Sunday evening.
neighbor Wayne Smith, 58, said: Sun He said a man ‘came to his house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep, killing them both’.
He added: ‘At first when I heard the explosion I thought it was a gas explosion or even a big car accident. ‘I could feel the whole house shaking.’
Inspector Matt Ebbs told reporters at a press conference on Sunday afternoon: ‘At around 6.17pm we received a call to respond to a domestic incident at a residential address in Sterncourt Road.
‘Officers were dispatched to the scene but shortly before they arrived, at 6.30am, an explosion occurred at the property.
‘A woman and a man died at the address and we are treating the explosion as suspicious.
‘Their families are updated and supported by specially trained officers and our thoughts are with them.
‘Three people, a man, a woman and a child, were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.’
About 70 people were evacuated from their homes and taken to the nearby Snuff Mill Harvester bar, which was used as a temporary rest centre.
