AN investigation into the way police officers handled the case of Carlisle murder victim Melinda Korosi has reached its "final stages".

The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed it has completed its report into contact between officers and the vulnerable 33-year-old mum-of-two in the days prior to her brutal killing at the hands of violent ex-partner Miklos Verebes last year.

A draft document compiled by the IPCC has now been sent to force chiefs and will be published in final form once their feedback on its conclusion has been received.

Verebes was arrested by police in September last year after Miss Korosi reported that he had raped her and subjected her to violence once again.

However, the 29-year-old, who had already served a custodial sentence for domestic violence in July, was released without charge.

Just 36 hours later, the Hungarian national broke into Miss Korosi's Orton Road home and murdered her with a sharp rock.

A judge sentenced Verebes to life in prison for the appalling crime following a trial in March.

Cumbria police referred itself to the IPCC over the matter.

The IPCC later confirmed two officers - a detective constable and a detective sergeant - were under investigation.

At the time, an IPCC spokeswoman said: "Based on the evidence collected so far, the IPCC investigator has decided there is an indication of misconduct by a detective constable and a detective sergeant at the force.

"Both officers have been notified."