article_snippet: Partner Edward Metcalfe claimed that the death of Tracey Topliss, 47, had been a tragic accident after Partner Edward Metcalfe fell down the stairs at A computer programmer who killed his girlfriend and then almost got away with it after staging a cover-up home in Hall Green, Birmingham.
article_snippet: A post-mortem also ruled that Miss Topliss's death had been an accident, but after a friend of the victim told police of domestic violence within the relationship, police re-investigated the case and charged Partner Edward Metcalfe with murder.
article_snippet: Miss Topliss's death had initially been ruled as an accident .
article_snippet: Birmingham Crown Court heard how Miss Topliss, a National Grid worker, was killed on November 15 in 2013 at the couple's home.
article_snippet: Hugh O'Brien Quinn, prosecuting, said that following an initial post-mortem, it had been concluded that Miss Topliss's death had been accidental.
article_snippet: Partner Edward Metcalfe was then jailed for five years and after the hearing, Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, of West Midlands Police, said: 'Partner Edward Metcalfe initially deceived the authorities into believing that Miss Topliss died as a result of a tragic accident. '
article_snippet: Partner Edward Metcalfe nearly got away with Miss Topliss died as a result of a tragic accident.
highlights_snippet: Tracey Topliss died after falling down the stairs at Tracey Topliss home in Birmingham .
  
highlights_snippet: Partner Edward Metcalfe claimed that the fall had been a tragic accident .
  
highlights_snippet: An initial post-mortem also ruled that Tracey Topliss's death was accidental .
  