Detective Inspector Michelle Stoten receives her commendation from the former Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Detective Inspector Michelle Stoten of Essex Police was recognised for her efforts liaising with families of those who lost their lives.

Michelle told about her journey. She worked with the Vietnamese government, law enforcement and family liaison officers (FLOs) to gain the trust of the grieving families.

In Feburary 2020, she organised a trip to Vietnam where the FLOs had the chance to meet the victims’ families face-to-face for the first time.

She also ensured that each victim and their family were treated with dignity and respect. Currently, Michelle and her team are working to send the belongings of the victims back to their families.  

At the ceremony, Michelle said: “I feel honoured to have worked on the investigation and lead the areas I have to do the best we could for the families in such a terrible set of circumstances”

Speaking the event, former Home Secretary Priti Patel who presented her with the award said “It is only right to recognise the exceptional efforts and courage of these people. This commendation says to the world that what they do is important, vital and absolutely valued.”

The tragedy took place on the 23rd of October 2019 when the bodies of 39 migrants who were found in the back of a lorry container in Essex.

Four men were jailed for a total of 78 years in connection with the deaths for crimes ranging from manslaughter to people smuggling and conspiring to bring people into the country unlawfully.

In August, Marius Mihai Draghici, 48, was detained by Romanian police in the city of Bucharest following the execution of a European Arrest Warrant in connection with the case. VNS