Family mourn ‘selfless’ mum killed by ex blowing up grenade

A mum who saved her child’s life before her ex-boyfriend detonated a grenade has been described as ‘heroic’ in a tribute from her family.

Joanne Shaw, 35, was killed after Ryan Kelly, 41, triggered the blast at her front doorstep in Bristol on Sunday morning.

When he turned up at her mother’s house in a furious state, she told her child to go and play on the trampoline just outside the blast radius.

Speaking out for the first time, her family said Joanne, known as Jo, leaves behind a ‘legacy of love, compassion, and strength that will never be forgotten’.

Her relatives said in a statement: ‘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 described how Joanne’s child has ‘suffered’ an ‘unimaginable loss’ of their ‘devoted and loving mother’.

Asking for privacy while they grieve, the family said: ‘Joanne’s love for her child was boundless, and the centre of her world. She was a devoted and loving mother.

‘Joanne grew up in Stapleton, where she lived her whole life and became well known in the community for her bubbly, friendly personality. She welcomed everyone into her life with open arms and the biggest heart.

‘Joanne loved meeting new people, listening to their stories, sharing advice, and forming genuine connections wherever she went; a number of these resulted in eternal friendships.

‘Her infectious laugh could fill a room and light up everyone’s world. Life and soul not only of the party, but our lives.

‘She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and strength that will never be forgotten.

‘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.

‘We ask for privacy at this deeply difficult time as we mourn our tragic loss. Joanne will always be in our memories, our thoughts, and our hearts.

‘We love you forever, sweetheart. Mummy, I miss you and love you so much.’

‘Joanne’s actions were nothing short of heroic’

Neighbours claimed that Joanne had just moved to a terraced home on the Bristol street to escape her ex-partner.

Stuart Blanchard, who lives a few doors down, told The Mirror: ‘She had been complaining to the police for some time before this incident, and he had been harassing her.

‘It’s a shock for everyone because they were a really nice family, I cannot believe it has happened. It wasn’t Jo’s house, it was her parents’, she just lived there. She had split up with him, and I think she moved there to escape from him.’

Local Wayne Smith, 58, told The Sun: ‘He’s turned up at her house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep and killed the pair of them.’

Friends and neighbours have begun to pay tribute to the victim, who is understood to have worked at a local tanning salon.

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