Man charged with manslaughter after woman’s death linked to domestic abuse
Officers have charged a man with manslaughter related to an ongoing investigation into the death of a woman in Bexley.
Gillian Morand passed away in March 2020, aged 36. A subsequent inquest determined she had died by suicide.
Following this, information came to light around allegations of domestic abuse that Gillian had previously suffered. This led to the Met undertaking further enquiries, and an investigation was launched by detectives.
On Thursday, 5 March 2026, officers arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with Gillian’s death.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the Met has charged Seyhan Assaf, 45 (12.11.1980) of Berwick Crescent, Sidcup with manslaughter and coercive or controlling behaviour.
It is alleged Gillian was abused over a significant period of time, and it is further alleged that this abuse contributed to her death.
Assaf will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 7 March.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said:
“This is a complex investigation with very few charges of this nature authorised across the country.
“We are supporting Gillian’s family, who ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
“I ask that anyone who was in contact with Gillian in the decade prior to her death contact us. Any information, irrespective of how insignificant it may seem, may be of considerable value.”
Information can be passed to our investigation team via our Major Incident Public Portal or by calling 101 and quoting CAD number 4727/06MAR26.
Samantha Yelland, Senior Crown Prosecutor in CPS London Homicide Unit said:
“We have decided to prosecute Seyhan Assaf with manslaughter and controlling or coercive behaviour.
“This decision comes after working closely with the Metropolitan Police as they have carried out their investigation into the death of Gillian Morand.
“Our prosecutors worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring these charges to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.”
The Met continues to work closely with partners to support victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
