AN investigation into the death of a schoolteacher at her mother's Bournemouth home earlier this month is to be reviewed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The body of 24-year-old Charlotte Lewis, who lived in Exeter, was found in a cottage at Hamden Lane, Southbourne, on Sunday, May 15.

Charlotte's mother Nicola, 46, was also discovered in the house, having suffered serious injuries. Police say Mrs Lewis left hospital yesterday and is recuperating with family.

Police visited the property two-and-a-half hours before Charlotte's body was found, following a 999 call from a girl saying she was being attacked.

They spoke to neighbours but did not enter the detached red-bricked house. It was only when a later phone call was made to Christchurch police station that they returned and entered the house to find the body of Charlotte, a teacher at Paignton Community and Sports College, and her seriously injured mother.

It is understood that Mrs Lewis was semi-conscious on the first floor of her home and Charlotte's body was discovered in a nearby bedroom.

A post mortem revealed that Charlotte, an Exeter University graduate who attended Bethany Church of England Junior School, Avonbourne School and Bournemouth School for Girls, had died after being struck with a blunt instrument.

A Dorset Police spokes-man said: "Certain aspects of the case have been voluntarily referred by Dorset Police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission to allow for an independent review.

"Further comment at this time is precluded by the on-going court case."

Train driver Paul Coles, 37, of Hamden Lane, has been charged with murdering his step-daughter and attempting to murder his wife between May 13 and May 16, 2005.

First published: May 25