A man believed to have killed himself and his ex-girlfriend with a grenade in a house explosion has been named locally as Ryan Kelly, 41. The blast on Sunday rocked a quiet suburban street in Bristol, prompting a complex and sensitive investigation by Avon and Somerset Police.
Details of the Incident
Armed officers were already en route to the address in Sterncourt Road after receiving a 999 call at 6:17 am to attend a domestic-related incident. Just 13 minutes later, at around 6:30 am, an explosion occurred inside the property. A young mother, who had reportedly recently moved into the terraced house to escape her former partner Kelly, died at the scene alongside him.
Three other people—believed to be her son and two other family members—suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital. They have since been discharged.
Neighbour Accounts
Neighbour Wayne Smith, 58, told The Sun that a man had turned up at the house with a grenade and detonated it on the doorstep, killing both. Smith initially thought the boom was a gas explosion or a car crash, feeling the whole house shake.
Kelly's Criminal Past
The Daily Mail revealed that Kelly was jailed for five years in 2015 for supplying cocaine as part of a Breaking Bad-style drugs gang. The plot, led by cancer-stricken mastermind George Rogers, 78, involved a self-taught chemist making crystal meth. Unlike the fictional series, the scheme was foiled before drugs could flood the south west of England.
Kelly was a director of Vansdam, a used car sales firm, and had two dissolved business ventures: Ballinderry Clothing and Aston Hire. His brother declined to comment.
Investigation and Response
Police quickly ruled out a terrorism link and stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. A bomb disposal unit was deployed, and the area was deemed safe by Sunday evening. Around 70 residents were evacuated to a nearby pub used as a rest centre.
Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: "We received a call to attend a domestic-related incident. Officers were sent but before they arrived, there was an explosion. A woman and a man have died. Their families are being supported."
Forensic officers continued gathering evidence at the scene, where the front window was boarded up and shattered glass littered the garden decking. Tributes online described the victim as an "amazing friend."
