A REVIEW into the death of a woman at the hands of her partner has found there were “no grounds to indicate” the impending tragedy.

Adam Butt launched the “premeditated, unprovoked, cowardly and furious attack” on US national Mary Wells at their shared home in Laing Road, Colchester, overnight in January 2021.

The brutal attack carried out with two knives saw 21-year-old Mary suffer stab wounds to her chest, abdomen and neck, while an unsuccessful attempt was made to decapitate her.

Butt later admit manslaughter with diminished responsibility and was sentenced to 18 years in a secure hospital.

In court it was argued Butt, a student at Essex University who had met Mary on an online dating site, was going through a psychotic episode which began in November 2020.

Killer – Adam Butt was sentenced to 18 years in a secure hospitalKiller – Adam Butt was sentenced to 18 years in a secure hospital (Image: Essex Police)

A domestic homicide report has been released by the Safer Colchester Partnership has seven recommendations to Essex Police, Essex University and healthcare providers.

The report found police had been called to domestic incidents at the couple’s address before Ms Wells was killed.

During the second incident in December 2020, the report found there had been a “failing to identify the domestic abuse element of the call meaning that the incident was incorrectly categorised, with implications for how police subsequently responded.”

The ambulance service later responded to the call and requested police attendance due a possible “domestic dispute.”

The report said Butt “should have been identified as the perpetrator.”

Scene – Mary Wells was killed in Laing Road, ColchesterScene – Mary Wells was killed in Laing Road, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

It added: “He was described as acting aggressively, shouting at his girlfriend, seeking to force her to go with him, acting unpredictably and posing a potential threat to others.”

The report said had Ms Wells been “correctly identified as the victim in this case” a risk assessment would have been completed and any hidden risks identified.

However, the review said “there were no grounds to indicate any likelihood of serious harm. It is unclear whether the risks were fully understood.”

Victim – Mary Wells was stabbed to deathVictim – Mary Wells was stabbed to death (Image: Essex Police)

The report found efforts had been made by Essex University’s wellbeing team to engage with Butt but “his caseworker did not appear to have much contact.”

The report concluded Essex Police, GPs, and Essex University would not have been aware of the nature of the couple’s relationship prior to Ms Wells’ death.

It recommended policies on domestic abuse risk assessments were reviewed by Essex Police and the policies on identifying suspects and victims in domestic abuse calls be looked at.