No wrongdoing found after woman dies in custody, IOPC rules

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation has found that North Wales Police officers acted in line with policies and procedures when treating a woman who died in custody.

Helen Williams was arrested at 10.20am on 23 May 2024 outside a property in Bangor, for a recall to prison. The 43-year-old was taken to Caernarfon police station where her detention was authorised at around midday.

She remained in custody for approximately 33 hours, awaiting an appearance at court. During this time, she was placed on regular observations by custody staff and was seen by healthcare professionals.

Ms Williams was due to return to prison during the afternoon of 24 May 2024. When the transportation arrived it was determined she was not well enough to travel. At around 4.15pm, while waiting to be taken to hospital, she became seriously ill. Police officers and staff carried out first aid and paramedics arrived around 40 minutes later, but she was sadly pronounced dead at 5.19pm.

At the end of a one-day inquest in Caernarfon on Wednesday (19 November), a jury returned a conclusion of a drug-related death.

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: “This was a tragic case. I send my condolences to the family and friends of Ms Williams and everyone affected by her death. At the end of our investigation in June 2025, we found no evidence to indicate that police had contributed in any way to Ms Williams’ death. We found officers acted in accordance with policy and procedures during her arrest and detention.

“The evidence demonstrates that the medical interventions by police officers and staff were timely and appropriate but, unfortunately, were unable to prevent her death.”

The investigation began following a mandatory referral from North Wales Police. The IOPC looked at the level of care provided to Ms Williams during the time she spent in custody and investigators reviewed CCTV and body-worn video footage of her arrest and detention, as well as relevant police documentation.

They also obtained witness statements from officers and staff who interacted with Ms Williams and the paramedics who treated her. A post-mortem examination concluded Ms Williams died from complications of drug abuse.

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