A regional journalist’s family have called for a criminal investigation into her death after claiming she would not have been capable of killing herself.

Lorna McMahon, whose niece Teresa McMahon died in 2021, made the claim as Greater Manchester Police prepares to review its handling of a domestic abuse complaint by the former Manchester Evening News journalist in the days before her death.

It comes after a report last month revealed that GMP officers delayed seeing Teresa, pictured, for nine days after she made the allegation and also failed to inform her of her former partner’s violent history when she requested it under Clare’s Law.

The 43-year-old, who worked for the MEN on a freelance basis between 2014 and 2016, was found hanged at her flat in Little Hulton, Salford, in August 2021.

Speaking to the MEN, Ms McMahon said: “I do not believe Teresa is capable of hanging herself, she hated pain. I want a full criminal investigation into her death.”

She also noted the mother-of-one had not left a suicide note, according to the MEN.

A report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found the journalist had reported domestic abuse but the subsequent GMP investigation “was not adequate, reasonable or proportionate” and that “lines of enquiry had not been pursued”.

The IOPC report found had ended the relationship but had accused her former partner of pressurising her into resuming it, while GMP told her she had no right to see details of his history of violence because she was no longer in a relationship.

A police bodycam recording of an interview with Teresa, discussing her concerns, 12 days before she died was also lost by the force.

At a pre-inquest review last summer, Bolton Coroner’s Court was told Teresa, who also worked as a producer and news editor for Granada Reports, was a “vulnerable individual” who was “locked in a coercive and controlling relationship” before her death.

An inquest into her death, which was due to be held last month, was postponed following the IOPC’s findings.

A detective chief inspector from the GMP’s major incident teamis now conducting the review and will ultimately decide whether any criminal investigation is warranted.

In a statement, the force told the MEN: “Following recommendations by the IOPC, GMP’s professional standards branch is conducting a further investigation into allegations made relating to the force’s handling of alleged matters in the weeks leading up to Teresa’s death.

“GMP has also appointed a Senior Investigating Officer to review the original police investigation surrounding Teresa’s death.

“We would like to assure Teresa’s family that a full and thorough review of all the circumstances surrounding her death will be carried out and that they will be kept fully informed.”