Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide that some readers may find upsetting.
A watchdog has determined that no formal investigation is needed into the contact that police had with Caroline Flack before she died.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed today (March 4) that it found "no indication of a causal link" between the actions of the police and the former Love Island presenter's death.
Metropolitan Police officers last had contact with Flack on December 13, 2019, when she was in custody following her arrest for an alleged assault.
In a statement, the IOPC said: "While in custody on December 13, officers arranged for her to see a health care professional and relevant policy and procedure was followed to give her further guidance.
"On this basis, we have returned this referral to the MPS' Department for Professional Standards for them to deal with the matter in whatever manner they decide."
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The Met previously explained that its cooperation with the police watchdog was standard procedure because its officers had been in contact with Flack before her death.
Flack had been arrested for common assault of her boyfriend Lewis Burton in December, and later pleaded not guilty at an initial hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court two days before Christmas.
She was tragically found dead at age 40 on Saturday, February 15, in what was later determined to be a suicide by the Poplar Coroner.
Her family said in a statement last month: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask they make no attempt to contact us and/or photograph us."
Many of Flack's friends later shared their grief over her passing, and she received tributes on her former show Love Island and later at the 40th annual Brit Awards.
Her family has also shared a previously-unreleased Instagram post from the presenter dealing with the emotions Flack felt about her assault case.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
