It was a murder-suicide that sparked a huge outpouring of grief and left the Canterbury community reeling, but it also prompted questions about the police's handling of the case.

Catalin Micu was on bail when he was found dead at GothInk Studio tattoo parlour alongside wife Ramona Stoia a year ago today. Now, it has emerged officers have been told lessons can be learned over their handling of the case, as Rhys Griffiths reports...

In the hours and days following the deaths of Ramona Stoia and Catalin Micu, photographs and floral tributes built up outside the Canterbury tattoo shop where they were found.

She was described as a "pure, perfect soul" but it soon emerged her husband, who had murdered her before taking his own life, was already very much on the radar of Kent Police.

The 54-year-old was facing accusations he had raped his 35-year-old wife multiple times throughout their marriage.

Ramona had come forward with a series of historic allegations dating back throughout their 16-year relationship, but primarily taking place in the last years before her untimely death.

Following his arrest, Micu was placed on police bail until April 20.

But on April 11 - a year ago today - the Romanian couple would be found dead at their tattoo parlour in Lower Bridge Street.

Huge emergency response

Emergency services - including firearms officers - swarmed the area after the gruesome discovery was made, with the ring-road shut off and police and ambulance vehicles lining the street outside the shop.

Forensics officers were seen going in and out of the studio, but it soon emerged only Ramona's death was being treated as suspicious. No other suspects were being sought.

Ali Gun, owner of Cousins Pool and Snooker Lounge which is located above the tattoo parlour, recalled the moment police first arrived at the crime scene.

He had been in the street outside when he noticed a police van and car pull up outside GothInk.

"The [police officers] came out of the car, ran inside, and then a girl came out shaking, very shocked," he told KentOnline at the time.

"We heard the police inside saying 'first aid, first aid, first aid', and we didn't really want to look what's happened inside - something terrible."

Outpouring of grief

The mass of tributes which soon began growing outside the tattoo studio demonstrated a sudden, shocked outpouring of love for the murdered woman.

A collage of pictures of Ramona was displayed on the doors of the shop, along with bouquets of flowers, candles and written expressions of grief.

One heartfelt poem, called Shining Star, read: "A shining star snatched from our sky. The question we ask ourselves is why?

"A wonderful spirit loved by all. An amazing lady so beautiful.

"Taken by the angels in such a cruel way. So heartbroken can't find the words to say.

"The tattoos you created are your legacy. Up in heaven now spirit flying free."

One tribute left at the scene simply said: "RIP Ramona. You were a beautiful soul. You will be missed so much."

Another read: "I never knew you but unfortunately can relate to your experiences. You deserved to be here and free of violence. I hope you have some sense of peace."

The tattoo studio has since been cleared, repainted and put on the market.

A violent history

At the opening of an inquest into the deaths, more details of what happened on April 11 emerged.

The coroner's court heard how the mother-of-one had died from a stab wound to her neck in what was described as an "unprovoked attack" by her husband.

Coroner Katrina Hepburn then told of how Micu was seen to go behind a curtain moments before his death from a stab wound to the stomach.

The hearing was adjourned, and a full inquest into the deaths is yet to be held.

Given the nature of the tragedy - Ramona killed by her husband before he took his own life - attention soon turned to his background.

In the days following the incident, it emerged a number of allegations had been made against Micu by his wife.

He had been interviewed by police before the murder-suicide, with Ramona accusing of him of a series of sexual assaults against her.

The couple, who had one young son together, married in Las Vegas four years prior to their deaths but were understood to have separated shortly before.

Ramona secured a non-molestation order - a court injunction restricting or banning contact - against her husband.

While it was thought the couple continued to live together at their home in the city, Micu was banned from "harassing or pestering" her.

But just weeks before their deaths, he was arrested on suspicion of having breached this order, and of seriously sexually assaulting his wife.

Given Ramona was killed while Micu was on bail and under investigation by police, questions were asked about whether officers could have acted differently and potentially prevented the killing.

Lessons to be learned

Kent Police subsequently referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), following its contact with the couple prior to their deaths.

However the IOPC declined to launch its own investigation in the police's handling of the case.

Instead the matter would be made the subject of an internal review by Kent Police.

That investigation has now concluded, and the IOPC has confirmed to KentOnline that no further action will be taken against the officers involved - but lessons can be learned by the force.

"We did identify potential areas of organisational learning for the force..."

An IOPC spokesperson said: "Following the deaths of Catalin Micu and Ramona Stoia in April 2022, we received a referral from Kent Police in relation to previous contact officers had with the pair before their deaths.

"After assessing the referral, we determined the matter should be investigated by the force and they should send us a copy of the investigator’s final report to maintain independent oversight.

"We have now reviewed Kent Police’s investigation and there is no indication any officer may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

"We did identify potential areas of organisational learning for the force and are now consulting with them on how, if accepted, these can be implemented."

DCI Ben Loose, of East Kent’s vulnerability investigation team, said: "This was an extremely distressing incident and I would like to offer Kent Police’s condolences to Ramona’s friends and family for their loss.

"Following the incident, Kent Police made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and we will now review their findings and implement any learning suggested.

"Tackling domestic abuse is one of Kent Police's key priorities and we are continuously working to improve how we protect victims and target dangerous offenders."

For support with issues of domestic violence call Refuge's helpline for free on 0808 2000247.