Irish man accused of murdering his former partner in UK found dead in prison
Sarah Slater
An Irish man accused of murdering his former partner has been found dead in prison.
Derek Bradshaw (32) who was originally from Inch, Arklow, Co Wicklow died while in custody on June 16th.
Bradshaw, who was living in Hanover Circle, Hayes, had been arrested days earlier by the Metropolitan Police on June 11th in connection with the death of his partner Barbara McCann.
McCann (47) was found dead in a house in Catford Hill, south-east London after she was found dead at a home in Catford on June 9th last after Metropolitan police officers responded to concerns for her welfare.
Bradshaw was charged with murder four days after his arrest and was due to appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court on the day of his death.
The 32-year-old was facing a second charge, accused of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship between September 8th, 2021 and June 5th this year.
His behaviour was alleged to have included physical and mental abuse, sexual abuse, and financial control towards Barbara, who has been revealed to have been his partner at the time.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Derek Bradshaw died in custody on 16 June 2026.
“As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
Bradshaw has close family members living in Arklow.
At the time of Ms McCann’s murder the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they responded to concerns for the welfare of a woman inside a property on Catford Hill at 11.35am on Tuesday, 9 June.
“Barbara was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and her family are being supported by specialist officers,” police said in a statement.
"In the days following her death, enquiries led police to Hillingdon, west London, where officers arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of murder on Thursday, 11 June.
“Derek Bradshaw, of Hanover Circle in Hayes was charged on Monday, 15 June and will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on June 16th.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Franklin, leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with Barbara’s family at this unimaginably difficult time. If you have any information about Barbara’s death, no matter how small, please assist our investigation by contacting us as a matter of urgency.”
