A young mother who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend when he forced his way into her house and killed them both with a ‘grenade’ has been pictured for the first time.
Joanne Shaw, 35, died on Sunday at her home in Bristol when Ryan Kelly, 41, detonated an explosive device.
Armed officers were already making their way to the address in Sterncourt Road after receiving a 999 call 13 minutes before the explosion to attend a ‘domestic-related’ incident.
The young mother is thought to have recently moved into the terraced house to escape Mr Kelly.
Three other people – who are believed to be her son and two other family members – were also hurt in the ‘suspicious’ explosion and taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. They have all since been discharged.
Avon and Somerset Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previously reported domestic-related incidents.
The force this afternoon gave more details about the moments leading up to the blast and said someone inside the property, not Miss Shaw, had called police at 6.17am to report a ‘domestic-related incident’.
At 6.30am, police were told a man was believed to have an explosive device and two minutes later an explosion was heard.
Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: ‘We know people will be shocked and upset to learn of the horrendous events that happened on Sunday morning.
‘Jo’s death has been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information known to us at this time. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.
Joanne Shaw, 35, was murdered by her ex-partner Ryan Kelly when he forced his way into her home in Bristol and killed them both by detonating an explosive device
Mr Kelly (pictured), 41, has been named by police as the man who died in the blast on Sunday
Officers continue to gather evidence from the address in an investigation which has been described as ‘complex’ and ‘sensitive’ — May 4, 2026
‘We know everyone’s thoughts and sympathies will be with her devastated family. Specially trained officers are providing them with updates and support.
Miss Shaw is said to have worked at a tanning salon. Her LinkedIn profile shows she was previously an assistant manager at workspace hire firm BE Offices.
The Daily Mail can reveal Mr Kelly was jailed for five years in 2015 after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine as part of a ‘Breaking Bad’ drugs gang.
A tribute online described Miss Shaw as an ‘amazing friend’ and added that ‘I can’t believe you was [sic] taken from us’.
Forensic officers continued to gather evidence at her home yesterday, where the front window could be seen boarded up.
Shattered glass can also be seen on the garden decking in front of a boarded-up rear door.
Meanwhile, a poster for a gardening firm, which the Daily Mail understands is owned by Miss Shaw’s brother, was taped to a window.
Today, the twisted frame of a smashed window is propped up against the wall, and officers are standing outside a cordon in front of the home.
The manager of a local corner shop who had known Miss Shaw for nearly a decade described her as a ‘truly lovely person’.
Trifonova told the BBC she had ‘always brought positive energy’ and added: ‘We got to know her as more than just a customer – she felt like part of our community.
‘Our focus is on remembering her and supporting those who knew and loved her. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.’
Avon and Somerset Police moved quickly on Sunday to rule out a terrorism link and said detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident ‘at this stage’.
The force has since described the case as ‘a complex and sensitive investigation’.
Officers also searched an address linked to Mr Kelly three miles away in Speedwell where he lived with his mother.
Companies House documents linked to that address show Mr Kelly was a director of Vansdam, a used car sales firm.
His two previous failed business ventures – men’s outwear firm Ballinderry Clothing, and car rental company Aston Hire – were dissolved in 2019 and 2023.
Mr Kelly’s brother declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail, but a number of tributes have been posted online to him.
A video from one friend shows him drinking beer straight from a pub’s tap, while another commented: ‘I’m absolutely gutted about the sad news. I was only out with you few weeks ago for a good catch up.’
Mr Kelly was jailed in 2015 in a case that was likened to the US TV show Breaking Bad, where high school chemistry teacher Walter White starts making crystal meth to raise money after he is diagnosed with lung cancer.
The twisted frame of a smashed window is seen propped up against the wall of the home — May 5, 2026
A mugshot of Kelly in 2015. He was jailed for five years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine as part of a ‘ Breaking Bad’ drugs gang
In this case, cancer-stricken mastermind George Rogers, 78, ran the plot from prison despite his illness and recruited a self-taught chemist to set up a lab and make the highly addictive drug crystal meth.
But unlike the fictional version, the real-life plot stopped before they could flood the south west of England with drugs after undercover police bugged their cars.
Following the explosion in Bristol, a bomb disposal unit was deployed and specialist searches were carried out by the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal. The area was deemed safe by Sunday evening.
Neighbour Wayne Smith, 58, told The Sun that a man had ‘turned up at her house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep and killed the pair of them’.
He added: ‘At first when I heard the boom I thought it was a gas explosion or even a huge car crash. I could feel the whole house shake.’
Superintendent Matt Ebbs told reporters in a press conference on Sunday afternoon: ‘At about 6.17am we received a call to attend a domestic-related incident at a residential address in Sterncourt Road.
‘Officers were sent to the scene but shortly before they arrived, at just after 6.30am, there was an explosion inside the property.
‘A woman and a man have died at the address and we’re treating the explosion as suspicious.
‘Their families have been updated and are being supported by specially trained officers, and our thoughts are very much with them.
‘Three people, a man, a woman and a child, were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.’
Around 70 people were evacuated from their homes and taken to the nearby Snuff Mill Harvester pub, which was used as a makeshift rest centre.
