An investigation has been initiated into the tragic death of a man at a Bristol homeless shelter, where his body remained undiscovered for a week despite his family reporting him missing to both the charity running the hostel and the police.
Avon and Somerset Police have self-referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Zaid Jawad, whose body was found at Logos House, a Salvation Army facility in Bristol, on January 3.
Zaid, aged 40, was found deceased in another resident’s room at the hostel, where he had been staying over the Christmas period. Shockingly, the resident continued to occupy the room with Zaid’s body present, even after notifications were made to hostel staff and the police about Zaid’s disappearance.
Following the discovery, two individuals were arrested by Avon and Somerset Police but have since been released on police bail as inquiries into Zaid’s death are ongoing.
Zaid’s family raised concerns about the delay in finding him, stating that he likely died on the night of December 27-28 and was only discovered on January 3. They expressed disbelief at the lack of accountability and proper search efforts during the week Zaid remained missing.
The family is distraught over the circumstances and questions surrounding Zaid’s death, including the lack of urgency in locating him and the handling of the situation by the authorities and the hostel staff.
The IOPC is evaluating the referral from Avon and Somerset Police, and a decision on further actions is pending.
Authorities are conducting investigations into the incident, with a forensic post-mortem examination yielding inconclusive results regarding the cause of Zaid’s death. Further tests are being carried out to determine the exact circumstances leading to his passing.
Neighbourhood Inspector John Shaddick expressed condolences to Zaid’s family and emphasized ongoing support for them during this challenging time. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation.
Logos House, run by the Salvation Army, provides accommodation for men aged over 22 in Bristol, with referrals made by the city council for emergency housing needs. The charity offers a safe and supportive environment for residents who have ties to Bristol but require temporary shelter.
In response to inquiries about Zaid’s case, the Salvation Army expressed sorrow over his death and refrained from further comments due to the ongoing police investigation.
Zaid’s family advocates for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death and hopes that lessons can be learned to prevent similar incidents in the future. They seek accountability and changes to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals in such facilities.