Woman died from 'blast injuries' in house explosion
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A mother who was killed in an explosion at her home died from blast injuries to her chest and pelvis, an inquest has heard.
Jo Shaw, 35, died at her home in Sterncourt Road in Bristol on 3 May and her former partner, Ryan Kelly, 41, suffered fatal injuries.
Three other people, including a child, sustained minor injuries. Avon and Somerset Police are treating the explosion as deliberate and recorded Shaw's death as a homicide.
The inquest into her death was opened at Avon Coroner's Court earlier, but adjourned until 11 August pending further background from her family and reports from a general practitioner, the police, ambulance service and pathologist.
Coroner's officer Abigail Carey told the court that Shaw was pronounced dead at 07:00 BST on the morning of the blast by paramedics.
"Police and emergency services attended her home address following activation of an explosive device.
"A short form post-mortem report from Dr Russell Delaney gives a proposed cause of death as penetrating fragmentation blast injury to the chest and pelvis," she said.
Police previously said a call was received from a person inside the house at 06:17 reporting a domestic-related incident where a man they knew had forced entry into the house.
The caller stayed on the line while officers were dispatched to the house, and at 06:30 the caller told police the man was believed to be in possession of an explosive device.
About two minutes later, the fatal explosion was recorded.
The court heard Shaw was formally identified by her family.
None of them were present at the hearing.
In a tribute, they 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 that her child - who was "the centre of her world" - had suffered the "unimaginable loss of their mummy".
"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 will always be in our memories, our thoughts and our hearts," they added.
PA MediaPolice arrived at the property at 06:34 and fire and ambulance services arrived shortly afterwards.
Residents from neighbouring properties had been evacuated as a precaution and searches were carried out by the Army to ensure the area was safe.
Searches also took place at an address in Speedwell where Kelly lived, but no evacuations were ordered.
Avon and Somerset Police referred itself to the police watchdog over the incident, due to previous police contact with the victim prior to the fatality.
The force said the contact related to "other domestic incidents" between Shaw and Kelly.
It has also been revealed that Kelly was jailed for five years for his involvement in a 'Breaking Bad-style' drugs gang in 2015.
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