Elderly couple stabbed to death in their own home
Suspect in custody after ‘particularly violent’ murders of highly respected Port a down pensioners leave local community stunned
A PORTADOWN woman has been left distraught after finding her elderly parents stabbed to death in their own home.
The murder of the couple, named locally as Michael and Lilian Cawdery (both aged 83 years), has been described by a senior PSNI officer as “particularly violent” and has left the local community stunned.
A 40-year-old man was last night arrested by the PSNI a short distance from the quiet street where the two pensioners were murdered, but officers have appealing for anyone with information about a stolen grey Renault Kango Van — which they believe was the getaway vehicle — to come forward.
For a family member to come home and witness that is an awful situation
A FAMILY was plunged into mourning and a community left reeling in shock last night after an elderly couple were savagely murdered in their own home.
The bodies of the two pensioners — both aged 83 — were discovered yesterday afternoon when their daughter and son-inlaw came to visit them in their home in a leafy cul-de-sac at Portadown’s Upper Ramone Park.
It’s understood they had both been subjected to a savage knife attack.
The couple were named locally last night as Michael and Lilian Cawdery.
Mr Cawdery was a retired veterinary researcher, and had a long and distinguished career in his profession.
Educated in Nairobi, at Portora Royal School and at Trinity College Dublin, Mr Cawdrey — along with his wife — had been directors of veterinary firm Cawel Ltd, which was dissolved in 2011.
He published many well-regarded research articles in a wide range of academic journals in his field.
Just a week ago, he had written a letter to the British Medical Journal, examining the impact of the Ransomware virus which infected NHS computers
Detectives are still working to establish a motive for the brutal crime which has stunned the Portadown community.
Last night, the cul de sac remained sealed off, with the murder scene under police guard as forensics experts conducted their investigations.
Speaking at the scene, DUP General Election election candidate David Simpson spoke of the shock that had swept over the community.
“This is an awful shock for everyone,” he said.
“I received the call from the PSNI to tell me about the incident at around 5pm.
“This is a quiet area, it never has any anti-social behaviour, any issues like that.
“It’s an area where you would have a lot of retired elderly folk living.
“They come here for peace and quiet.
“All our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
“For a family member to come home and witness that and see the devastation... to find their parents dead — it’s an awful situation.”
He added: “We don’t yet know the background, we don’t know any fine details, whether he knocked the door or broke into the house.
“Elderly people would have been taken unawares and certainly, in their 80s, they couldn’t have defended themselves.
“It’s a tragedy and for a family member to come home and witness such a scene, it is appalling. It’s a really awful situation for the family.”
Mr Simpson said police had assured him that the daughter who had discovered the bodies of her parents was being looked after, adding that he would like to express his condolences to the family personally after they had time to grieve.
“If I can be of any help to them in this dreadful time, I will do my best,” he said.
Neighbour Alvin Winter said the murder had frightened him: “I feel a wee bit apprehensive that something like this could happen round here. We always felt that this was a safe, quiet area.
“But you never know, now — this just makes you a wee bit scared.”
Local UUP councillor Julie Flaherty lives just around the corner from the murder took place.
Shock was plainly audible in her voice as she spoke to the Belfast Telegraph last night.
“I can’t get over it,” she said. “I’m still so shocked that this could happen here.
“This is just a quiet little culde-sac, just round the corner there’s a church, and the school I went to.
“This is going to hit the area hard.”
Yesterday’s double murder is the second tragedy to hit the Co Armagh town in a week.
Schoolgirl Caitlin White (15), originally from Tandragee, died last Saturday in a suspected drug-related incident at a park in Portadown.
Four people have so far been arrested by police investigating her death.
“I know her family, I know her mummy,” Ms Flaherty said.
“I spoke to her this morning, and she is in pieces.
“And now we’re facing another dreadful weekend, and another family torn to pieces,” Councillor Flaherty added.
In a press conference last night, PSNI investigating officer Kevin Geddes said: “Police and ambulance services were called to the Upper Ramone Park.
“When we arrived there, we discovered two elderly people dead in the house.
“We are now treating this as a murder investigation, and I would like to appeal for any information around it.”
The PSNI also confirmed that a 40-year-old man has been arrested following the incident, and is currently helping police