An investigation has been initiated after a man tragically passed away at a homeless shelter in Bristol without being discovered for a week, despite his family alerting both the charity managing the hostel and the police.
The Avon and Somerset Police have self-referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of Zaid Jawad. His body was found at Logos House, a Salvation Army hostel 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. Despite his family reporting him missing to the Salvation Army on December 28, and subsequently to the police on December 29, no thorough search of the hostel was conducted until January 3.
After a review of CCTV footage on January 3, it was discovered that Zaid had not left the hostel since entering the resident’s room on the previous Saturday evening. His body was finally found in the room on the same day, seven days after he was last seen and six days after his disappearance was reported.
Two individuals were arrested by the Avon and Somerset Police in connection with the case but have been released on police bail pending further investigation. The cause of Zaid’s death remains under investigation as his family seeks answers and expresses shock over the handling of the situation by the authorities and the hostel staff.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct is evaluating the referral from the police, and no decision has been made yet on whether an investigation will be launched. Meanwhile, the police have urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
Logos House, described as a ‘Lifehouse’ by the Salvation Army catering to men over 22, provides emergency accommodation to individuals with ties to Bristol. The charity stated that residents typically stay for six to twelve months, with referrals made by the city council.
Zaid’s family is pushing for a thorough investigation into his death and the circumstances leading to it, emphasizing the need for accountability and change to prevent similar incidents in the future.
