Mother learns of daughter Karla James' death 'on Facebook'

A South Wales mother says she was 'hysterical' after learning of the death of her only daughter on social networking site Facebook.

Cheryl Jones, 49, who had spoken to 30-year-old Karla James just hours before, says she saw messages on the social networking site saying: 'She's died. RIP Karla.'

She immediately called Karla's mobile phone, only to find herself speaking to a police officer.

Cheryl says she 'almost collapsed' when the police officer told her: "Sorry but an officer will be around to see you shortly."

The mother-of-three has now filed an official complaint with the professional standards department of Gwent Police asking why, as next-of-kin, she wasn't informed of her daughter's death sooner.

It's understood Karla was pronounced dead at 8.17pm on July 23 - but police arrived at her home at 11.38pm that night to confirm her death.

Karla lived in a flat in Tredegar, less than a mile away from her mother, who was at home on the night her daughter died.

A Gwent Police spokesman said: "Our professional standards department is investigating a complaint relating to the police response following the sudden death of a 30-year-old woman.

"Due to the fact that this investigation is currently ongoing, we are not able to offer any further details at this time."

Cheryl describes her daughter as 'a beautiful girl, inside and out', and a 'real chatterbox who loved people'.

Tests are now being carried out to determine what killed the mother-of-one.