Evening Standard

Stalking victims face ‘postcode lottery’ after death of Gracie Spinks – coroner

A coroner has warned there is a “postcode lottery” for stalking victims following the inquest of a young woman who was fatally stabbed by a former colleague.

Matthew Kewley said there was a lack of consistency in police forces’ abilities to investigate stalking reports nationwide, and said more needed to be done to improve knowledge around the offence following the death of Gracie Spinks.

Ms Spinks, 23, was unlawfully killed by Michael Sellers, 35, on June 18 2021 in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, after he had become “obsessed” with her. Sellers took his own life shortly after.

During Ms Spinks’ inquest, admitted multiple serious failings, including how it dealt with her initial stalking complaint lodged more than four months before her death.

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