A MAN has been jailed for life for murdering his partner in a "brutal and senseless attack", after the victim’s daughter was shocked to learn of her death via Facebook.

Julian Thomas, 55, was jailed for a minimum 18 years at Worcester Crown Court for killing 61-year-old Anne Marie Green, the mother of Chepstow woman Karen Bassett.

West Mercia Police are currently under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the failure to inform her next of kin, after the great-grandmother was found dead at her Bromyard home on September 27, 2025.

The court heard how Thomas was on bail for allegedly assaulting her and had been staying with family in Ledbury.

But he was kicked out in the early hours of the morning having downed bottles of spirits the previous day, and then travelled to Bromyard before attacking Ms Green in a "drunken rage".

Ms Bassett told BBC West Midlands previously a friend had sent her a social media article about the death, saying 'I'm pretty sure this is where your mum told me she lives'.

"The ages matched up so I commented that this was where my mum lives because it was a tiny cul-de-sac.” she said.

"People were also writing 'RIP Ann' on the post...so I phoned my local police in South Wales and said I was pretty sure this was my mum that's been killed and they said they'd do some inquiries."

After being told someone from West Mercia Police would be visiting her in 40 minutes, she added: “I then knew straight away that it was my mum...It was heartbreaking. I felt angry, I felt emotional, I felt like I ’d been let down. I shouldn't have found out that way.

"It was awful and I then had to pass the news on to other family members myself, and I even had some family members asking me if it was Mum. It was just awful."

Ms Bassett said West Mercia Police have apologised since and passed the case on to the IOPC.

But the mum of three said: "I don't think it will ever be good enough. No-one should ever have to find out their loved ones have been taken through social media."

The IOPC complaints watchdog is also investigating police contact with Anne Marie before her death, following reports of several incidents.

Thomas admitted murder and also assaulting Ann Marie on 10 July last year 2025.

The court heard that emergency services were called to Apple Tree Close in Bromyard around 6am, but Ms Green was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher, of West Mercia Police's Major Investigation Unit, said: “This was a brutal and senseless attack on a woman in her own community, and our thoughts remain firmly with Ann Marie’s family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss.

“Thomas is a dangerous individual, and the sentence ensures he will no longer pose a threat to the public.

“While no sentence can ever undo the harm caused, we hope this outcome provides some measure of justice for Ann Marie’s family and reflects the seriousness of his actions.

“I would also like to recognise the dedication and professionalism of the investigation team, whose work ensured Thomas was brought to justice.”

Previously, her family paid tribute saying: “We are mourning the loss of a wonderful mum, step mum, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother.

“Our mum was one of a kind. Always took in everybody as one of her own. She was kind, caring and as a family we are all lost without her.”