Hero mum saved child’s life with simple instruction before ‘grenade’ explosion | UK | News
Jo Shaw (Image: Facebook)
The woman who tragically lost her life in the explosion saved a child with a simple instruction. Joanne Shaw, 35, died after her ex-partner detonated a grenade outside her family home in Frenchay.
Last night a neighbor told how Joanne directed the teenager to play on the trampoline outside when a fight broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 3). Stuart Blanchard, who lives a few doors down, said: “I spoke to the man who called 999 and he said the child was on the trampoline. This will be haunting,” the Mirror reported. [them].
“He probably said [the child] Going there to get out of the way of their arguments. I woke up for him [Joanne] “I was screaming, ‘Go away, go away’ and then there was an explosion that shook my door and windows.”
Avon and Somerset Police identified Joanne and her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41, as the two victims of the blast. Police confirmed the couple had had domestic incidents in the past and contacted a police monitor.
Kelly, 41, who was previously convicted of being a foot soldier in a Breaking Bad -style drug gang, allegedly arrived at Joanne’s home with a grenade and detonated it on her doorstep.
Neighbor Stuart continued: “Your partner [Kelly’s] He went there in a mental state. This wasn’t Jo’s house, it was her family’s house, she just lived there.
Read more: Man ‘killed himself and his ex-girlfriend with a grenade’ in explosion at house in Bristol
Read more: Neighbors of jilted boyfriend claimed he ‘killed his ex-girlfriend by detonating a grenade on her doorstep’
“She had broken up with him and I think she moved there to get away from him.” He added: “Another friend said he saw the police give Jo CPR but when the explosives squad arrived they had to leave in case there were more explosions. “It was so bad for them.
“I would see Jo walking the dog most mornings, she was a lovely lady.”
Officers rushed to the terraced property in the Frenchay area of Bristol at 6.17am on Sunday morning following reports of a domestic incident. The explosion occurred shortly after 6.30am.
A friend of Joanne’s mother told the Mirror she knew instinctively that the explosion was linked to Ryan Kelly. “I’m afraid I knew it was him because of what happened to him before,” he said.
“I haven’t talked to my friend since it happened and I can’t imagine how he’ll deal with it. It’s too bad when bad guys do bad things.”
“HE [Joanne] She was the sweetest, kindest woman in the world and she didn’t deserve this. The family doesn’t deserve this.
ryan kelly (Image: Mirror)
“I don’t think they’ll ever want to come and live here again. [Joanne and Ryan’s] Their relationship was not good; “I don’t know why he did such a terrible thing.”
Neighbor Michael Gwyther, who knew Kelly, said: “I just heard a bang, thought someone was kicking the door in trying to get in. “They’ve been quiet lately.
“It was scary and scared the dog right away.” Another resident, Kwestan Ahmed, added: “I heard screaming and shouting but I’m not sure if it was them or the police. I thought the explosion was a car accident, never thought it could have been a bomb.”
Kelly was jailed for five years in 2015 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine as part of a crystal methamphetamine ring led by a 78-year-old patient battling cancer. The hearing heard how the elderly ringleader organized this conspiracy from behind bars, despite his poor health, and how he set up a laboratory and hired a self-taught chemist to produce the highly addictive substance.
He set up a nationwide team, including Kelly, who sourced a kilogram of cocaine and planned to sell it for £60,000, to buy the chemicals and equipment needed to produce the drug from the Netherlands. The case has led to comparisons to the American TV series Breaking Bad, in which high school chemistry teacher Walter White begins producing crystal meth to fund his treatment after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Forensic officers returned to the home in Sterncourt Road Bristol on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, where a major incident was declared at the address on Sunday, May 3, following an explosion at the house at around 6.30am, where two adults died and three others were taken to hospital. Police are on guard at the scene at the facility. PHOTO: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
However, unlike the fictional story, the real-life plan was abolished before operations began after undercover cops planted listening devices on their vehicles.
Avon and Somerset Police Inspector Matt Ebbs said: “We know people will be shocked and upset to learn of the horrific events that took place on Sunday morning. “Jo’s death has been officially recorded as a murder based on the information we now know.
“We are not seeking anyone else in connection with his death. We know everyone’s thoughts and sympathies will be with his devastated family.
“Specially trained police officers are providing them with up-to-date information and support. “We recognize there is significant concern about what has happened, but there are many people grieving at the center of this and we would ask everyone to please respect this and give them the privacy they require.
“Police activity is ongoing at the property in Sterncourt Road and we expect this will take a number of days to complete. We would like to reassure the public that there is not believed to be a wider risk to security and this is not being treated as linked to terrorism.”
