British Transport Police (BTP) says no further action will be taken in relation to the death of Belly Mujinga, who contracted COVID-19 after being spat at while on duty at London Victoria station.
Belly Mujinga, 47 and mother to an 11-year-old daughter, tested positive for coronavirus days after an incident reported that she had been spat and coughed at by a man who claimed he had the virus.
She died on 5 April.
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In a statement, BTP said senior detectives “concluded there is no evidence to substantiate any criminal offences having taken place, and the tragic death of Belly Mujinga was not a consequence of this incident.”
Because of this, the matter will not be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
BTP said that investigators conducted “extensive enquiries to establish what happened on 21 March.”
This included reviewing CCTV footage of the incident plus speaking to witnesses.
No further action will be taken against a 57-year-old man from London who was interviewed in connection with this matter.
Public outcry
In a second statement, BTP cleared up confusion after a number of questions were raised following the news that the investigation had been closed.
“Senior detectives are confident that this incident did not lead to Belly Mujinga contracting COVID-19.
“This is because the man in the CCTV footage who detectives interviewed as part of the investigation had a negative antibody test result for COVID-19 in the time after the incident, therefore showing that he had never had the illness.
“The man’s test did not relate to the BTP investigation – he was tested as part of his occupation and the test results were shared with us during the investigation.”
Belly Mujinga’s death sparked an outcry for better protection for transport workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the incident during Prime Minister’s Questions on 13 May.
“The fact she was abused for doing her job is utterly appalling,” he said.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn said: “I know the loss of Belly has moved so many people, and I can assure you we have done everything we can to provide answers for her family.
“As a result of our enquiries, we can now be confident that this incident did not lead to Belly’s tragic death.
“Our thoughts remain with her family and we will continue to support them as they come to terms with the loss of their much-loved mother and wife.”
Belly’s family have been informed and kept updated about the result of the investigation and will continue to be supported by specialist officers.
