Murder cops probe Thames speed boat death smash which killed woman, 24, on a first date
Charli Brown, 24, could not be saved after she was dragged from the water following accident shortly before midnight in December 2015
MURDER cops have launched an investigation into the death of a woman who was killed in a speed boat crash on a first date.
Charlotte Brown, known as Charli, died in December 2015 after she and her date were thrown into the river Thames near Wandsworth Bridge, London.
Police at the time deemed the death as non-suspicious but this week confirmed they are investigating whether there could be a basis for a manslaughter charge or other criminal offence.
Charli, 24, went on the Thames trip after having dinner with her date in The Shard.
After shouting was heard coming from the river at Plantation Wharf at around 11:45pm, emergency services rescued the pair from the water.
But, while her 29-year-old date survived, Charli was pronounced dead in hospital at 1.55am later that night.
A spokesman from the Met Police said the force's murder detectives were looking at the circumstances of her death.
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He added: "The police investigation into the death of Charlotte Brown remains ongoing and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) continue to liaise with Charlotte's family as to developments.
"Following the submission of a file to the Crown Prosecution Service advice was provided to the MPS and detectives are now investigating offences including manslaughter.
"Due to the nature of the offences being looked at, Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are now investigating.”
Charli, from Welling, south east London, was described as a "fun-loving" by her family.
Charli’s dad Graham, who works for the Ministry of Justice as a prison manager, said his daughter, "died in the most tragic circumstances. It was 10pm on a full tide and they were wearing no life jackets.
"That could have killed any other woman who was with them."
Since the accident Graham has begun fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and raised £2,500 by running the Great Northern Run.
He now plans to raise money running the London Marathon, setting up a JustGiving page with a goal for a further £2,500.
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