Neighbours are mourning the ‘absolutely gorgeous’ family after the bodies of a girl, 11, boy, three and man and woman in their 30s were found in a west London flat.
Police were called at 3:12pm yesterday to concerns for the welfare of the occupants of a house on Staines Road in Bedfont.
When officers attended the house a short while later, after forcing entry into the premises, they found the bodies of four people.
A female neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she exchanged pleasantries with the family and revealed that the woman was a ‘lovely mother with two young children’ and that the family were ‘absolutely gorgeous’.
She added: ‘It is very shocking. I still can’t digest and understand what’s happened and why (it has) happened, especially when there are little kids involved – it is just devastating.’
A man lays flowers at the scene outside a property where the bodies of four people believed to be from the same family were found dead
Forensic teams carrying equipment arrived at the scene today in Bedfont
Police and forensics teams at the scene where police were called at 3:12pm yesterday to concerns for the welfare of the occupants
Neighbours are mourning the ‘absolutely gorgeous’ family that lived in the west London flat
Felton resident Michael Oban, 56, who lives about half a mile from the property, said he felt ‘disturbed’ by the events.
He added: ‘Whatever the circumstances, the death of four people inside a property really is quite shocking.
‘You have two children in there. It’s always distressing when you hear children lose their life.’
Another next-door neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘They were just normal neighbours – we just had greetings here and there, that kind of stuff.
‘I came home from work and there were police everywhere. It was really busy.. Nothing like that happens here. I have no idea what happened.’
Michelle Cunningham, 49, who lives nearby and laid flowers at the scene, said: ‘I thought I’d come and lay down flowers after hearing what happened. It’s so sad.
‘They were an eastern European family, kept themselves to themselves. I used to see the man outside his house sometimes.
‘I didn’t know their names or much about what happened – I just heard about it last night.’
Metropolitan Police said they believe to know the identity of all four people, who are thought to be related.
They added that enquiries are under way in respect of formal identification and informing next of kin.
A woman, who laid flowers at the scene, said the family were eastern European and ‘kept themselves to themselves’
A policeman stood with his armed crossed outside a house while forensic teams examine the property behind him
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, local policing commander in west London, spoke to reporters outside the scene
Police are not currently seeking anybody else in connection with the incident and an investigation is being led by homicide detectives from Specialist Crime.
Forensic teams have been pictured at the scene this afternoon, with some seen examining the top floor flat of the building.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, local policing commander in west London, said: ‘Our investigation is at a very early stage, and based on our initial enquiries, we are not currently seeking anybody else in connection with the incident.
‘Post-mortem examinations are now being arranged.’
‘I know the shock and distress that this terrible incident will cause among the community in Hounslow and beyond.
‘I can assure local people that specialist officers are working to establish exactly what happened and I will provide further information as soon as I can.
‘I am also aware that this incident will be particularly upsetting for children, and I ask people to please be responsible about what they post on social media, including not naming or speculating as to the names of those who’ve died.
‘There will be additional police officers in the area across the weekend, I urge anyone with information or concerns to speak with those officers.’
Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from Specialist Crime, said: ‘I can assure local people that specialist detectives are working to establish exactly what happened and I will provide further information as soon as I can.’
She added that police are retaining an ‘open mind’ aorund the circumstances which lead to the four deaths.
People can be seen carrying forensic equipment towards the house in Bedfont
Forensics teams can be seen exmaining the top floor flat of the house
One officer was pictured outside the scene at Staines Road earlier this morning
Staines road in Bedfont, Hounslow where police were called to a property yesterday
Labour MP for Feltham and Heston Seema Malhotra tweeted: ‘Everyone will be devastated by news that two adults and two children have found dead in their home in Bedfont.
‘Specialist investigations are ongoing our thoughts are with their family. If you have any information please do get in touch with the police.’
The Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat said: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear about the deaths of four people in Feltham North, a truly tragic event.
‘My heartfelt sympathies go out to their family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
‘I know this will send shockwaves across our community but want to assure residents that the police are not currently seeking anybody else in connection with the incident.
‘I want to thank the Metropolitan Police and other blue light services for their work and the Council will continue to support the investigation in every way possible.’
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting reference 5135/16Jun.
