Murder and manslaughter

Loss of loved ones due to murder or manslaughter

Have you been affected by, or do you want to know more about, loss of loved ones due to murder or manslaughter?

Co-victims are relatives and friends who’ve lost a loved one due to murder or manslaughter.

Murder is the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of one human being by another without an intention to kill or to cause grievous bodily harm.

How you might be feeling

Losing a loved one due to the actions of another person, whether intentional or not, can be extremely painful and very difficult to come to terms with. You may require support with practical, emotional, psychological and legal issues.

When someone you love dies from violence, you might:

feel numb
have difficulty accepting what’s happened and feel like there’s been a terrible mistake
be traumatised, experiencing troubling images, flashbacks or disturbing memories
have doubt and uncertainty, questioning why it happened or spending lots of time asking yourself if you could’ve prevented it
have heightened feelings of unfairness, disbelief, guilt and despair, perhaps wishing it had happened to you instead
be fearful, especially if the person who carried out the murder or manslaughter hasn’t been arrested or is unknown
experience anger and feel a need for revenge

Please remember, you’re not alone. These are all normal reactions experienced by people who’ve been bereaved through violent crime. Whatever you might be feeling is valid, and there’s support available to help you through this painful time.

Get the help you need

If you’d like more information or support, contact us now.

As well as receiving help from us, you can also get support from other organisations and charities. See below or search our directory.

Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) – A national charity that supports people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. You can call the helpline on 0121 472 2912 or text 07342 888570.

Gov.uk – Specific advice for those whose loved ones have died abroad by murder or manslaughter, including getting support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and how to find your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Crown Prosecution Service – Legal guidance and detail about UK murder and manslaughter law.

What happens after a death by murder or manslaughter

A death by murder or manslaughter will often result in police investigations, a post mortem, trials and court attendance. You might feel frightened or frustrated by what seems like never-ending procedures or feel that you have to put your grief on hold while focusing on court attendances.

Help is available, and you don’t have to face this alone. The police will assign you a family liaison officer (FLO). The FLO will gather evidence from you in a professional and compassionate way, with respect for beliefs and customs.

The FLO will also:

update you on the progress of the investigation
act as a single point of contact with the investigating police force
offer general guidance and recommend available support to help you during this difficult time
make a referral on your behalf to the Homicide Service provided by Victim Support

If you choose to be referred to the Homicide Service, you’ll be assigned a caseworker at either a face-to-face meeting or by telephone, depending on your preference.

This service will help you:

navigate and know what to expect from the criminal justice system
manage your immediate needs, such as accessing financial assistance
get help from trusted partner services, including bereavement and trauma counselling, restorative justice and specialists in debt, legal and housing matters

What’s an inquest?

An inquest is a special investigation held if it’s not clear how or why someone died, or if their death was ‘unnatural’. There’ll often be an inquest after a violent death. An inquest can be an emotional experience for relatives and friends.

Media interest

There’s often media attention following a violent crime or murder. The intensity will vary depending on the circumstances and location of what happened. In some very high-profile cases, it may feel like your loved one has become ‘public property’.

This is a difficult and often frustrating experience when you’re trying to grieve in private. You may feel that you have little control over the public interest shown towards the death of your loved one and this can lead to self-isolation and separation from your family, friends, community and wider society.

However, you have the right to retain your privacy. If media intrusion becomes too much or you feel you’re being harassed, make a complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and/or notify the police.