The family of a ‘heroic’ mother killed in an explosion at her home have paid tribute to her for ‘making the ultimate sacrifice to protect others’.
Joanne Shaw, 35, was killed in the blast in Sterncourt Road in Bristol on Sunday, in which her gangster ex-partner, Ryan Kelly, 41, also suffered fatal injuries.
Ms Shaw had left Kelly for her own safety and moved back in with her family, calling police over his behaviour multiple times.
But last Sunday morning, tragedy struck when the violent thug entered her home and set off a blast which killed them both.
Ms Shaw saved her child’s life moments before by sending him outside to play on a trampoline after a serious argument between her and Kelly.
In a tribute released today, Ms Shaw’s grieving family said: ‘Joanne brought warmth, kindness, and strength into the lives of countless people.
‘Her loving presence will be missed more than words can ever express, but her memory will forever remain in our hearts.’
They added: ‘Her child has suffered the unimaginable loss of their mummy in this tragedy. Joanne’s love for her child was boundless, and the centre of her world. She was a devoted and loving mother.
‘Joanne’s actions were nothing short of heroic. She showed extraordinary strength, selflessness, and love in the face of unimaginable fear, placing herself between danger and those she loved.
‘She will always be remembered not for the violence inflicted upon her, but for her bravery, her protective instinct, and the ultimate sacrifice she made for others.
Joanne Shaw was killed by her ex after he blew up her Bristol home with a ‘grenade’
Kelly (pictured) forced his way into Ms Shaw’s home in Bristol and killed them both by detonating an explosive device believed to be a grenade
Police at the scene on Sunday, May 3. Ms Shaw and Kelly both died in the explosion, but the mother managed to save her child after telling him to go and play on a trampoline outside
‘We ask for privacy at this deeply difficult time as we mourn our tragic loss. Joanne will always be in our memories, our thoughts, and our hearts.
‘We love you forever, sweetheart. Mummy, I miss you and love you so much.’
Ms Shaw, known as Jo, grew up in the Stapleton area of Bristol where her family said she was well-known for her “bubbly, friendly personality”.
They said she loved meeting new people, listening to their stories, sharing advice and forming connections resulting in “eternal friendships”.
She was the “life and soul not only of the party, but our lives”, they added.
Avon and Somerset Police are treating the cause of the explosion as deliberate, and recorded Ms Shaw’s death as a homicide.
The force is not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.
Police were called around 15 minutes before the explosion on Sunday – which was heard at 6.32am – and informed at 6.30am that the man in the property was believed to have an explosive device.
The blast moments later also injured three people, believed to be her son and two other family members. They have now all been discharged from hospital.
Avon and Somerset Police has made a mandatory referral to the IOPC due to its recent contact with the victim and are treating her death as murder.
It was also revealed this week that Kelly was jailed for five years in 2015 after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine as part of a ‘Breaking Bad’ gang that sold drugs for a 78-year-old battling cancer.
Ms Shaw’s family said she leaves behind ‘a legacy of love, compassion, and strength that will never be forgotten’
The twisted frame of a smashed window propped up against the wall of the home on May 5, 2026
Shocked neighbours who witnessed the explosion spoke of a ‘loving family’ that has been torn apart by the tragedy.
Neighbour Stuart Blanchard said: ‘The partner’s gone there in a mental state. It wasn’t Jo’s house, it was her parent’s, she just lived there. She had split up with him and I think she moved there to escape from him.
‘She had been complaining to the police for some time before this incident and he had been harassing her.
‘I’d heard the shouting before while having breakfast, something like ‘get out, get out’ but there’s something every week in this area so I didn’t go out.
‘Then there was a bang, it shook my front door. But my friend heard the kicking so went over. I thought it was a gas explosion so stayed inside.
‘I’ve heard it was a hand grenade. I spoke to the guy who called 999 and he said the child was out on the trampoline. It will haunt him. She probably told him to go out there to get out of the way of them arguing.
‘The police were here in seconds, they were called before the explosion. Another friend said he saw the police giving Jo CPR but when the explosives team arrived they had to leave in case there were more explosions. It was awful for them.’
Ms Shaw’s family said today: ‘She [Joanne] leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and strength that will never be forgotten.
‘Joanne’s actions were nothing short of heroic. She showed extraordinary strength, selflessness, and love in the face of unimaginable fear, placing herself between danger and those she loved.
‘She will always be remembered not for the violence inflicted upon her, but for her bravery, her protective instinct, and the ultimate sacrifice she made for others.
‘We ask for privacy at this deeply difficult time as we mourn our tragic loss. Joanne will always be in our memories, our thoughts, and our hearts.
‘We love you forever, sweetheart. Mummy, I miss you and love you so much.’
