In a tragic incident on a Tuesday morning in Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom, Taiwo Owoeye Abodunde, a Nigerian woman, nurse, and mother of three, met a sorrowful end.Â
Her untimely death revealed a story of marital strife, domestic turmoil, and a police response now facing scrutiny.
The circumstances leading to this grim discovery unfolded during an unplanned encounter by the police.
The visit was prompted by a follow-up related to a previous assault report against her estranged husband, David Olubunni Abodunde.
This visit was scheduled as part of gathering evidence concerning assault allegations made by Taiwo against Olubunni on November 27.
Police arrived at Taiwo’s home address at 259 Exning Road, Newmarket, at 9:55 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Tragically, upon entering, they found Taiwo unresponsive on the living room floor. Despite prompt medical attention, paramedics declared her dead at the scene.
Subsequently, Olubunni Abodunde was found inside the residence and arrested on suspicion of murder.
He was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and later appeared at Ipswich Crown Court and Suffolk Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the police response, triggered by a previous correspondence failure with Taiwo’s family on November 27, 2023, regarding a previous assault.
On November 27, Taiwo had reported an assault by Olubunni, leading to his arrest with police bail conditions.
An error in the recorded address on the bail condition added to the tragic unfolding of events. The police, unaware of the error, attended Taiwo’s address on Tuesday, November 28, for a pre-arranged meeting related to the assault allegations.
The IOPC is assessing the incident, acknowledging the need for further action. The police, in their statement, indicated the ongoing investigation and clarified the address confusion.
This heartbreaking discovery adds a layer of complexity to the family’s narrative, entwined with marital distrust, domestic abuse, and the struggle for economic survival.
Taiwo, originally from Igogo Ekiti, and Olubunmi from Ipoti Ekiti, met in 2004 at Otun Ekiti during a 7th Day Adventist Church social-religious camp for young people.
Their journey, far from a love-at-first-sight tale, involved Taiwo eventually agreeing to date and marry Bunmi after persistent pressure and persuasion.
This poignant incident not only raises questions about the adequacy of interventions but also shines a light on the broader issues of domestic abuse, law enforcement procedures, and the human complexities within familial relationships.
