Man arrested as couple stabbed to death
POLICE have arrested a man after a couple in their eighties were found stabbed to death in their home after a suspected burglary gone wrong.
It is believed the victims may have disturbed someone who had broken into their home on the outskirts of Portadown, Co Armagh, when they were attacked and killed.
The victims, who were named locally as Michael and Lilian Cawdery, were both aged 83. Police were called to the scene in the Upper Ramone Park when their daughter and sonin-law called to their home and found their bodies at 3.30pm yesterday.
Mr Cawdery was a retired veterinary researcher and had a long and distinguished career in his profession.
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.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie was at the scene and he said there is shock among local residents.
“This is truly shocking... beyond comprehension,” he said.
“My thoughts go to the family and the local community.
“This is a small cul-de-sac and you can see it in their faces, this incident has ripped apart this quite community.”
Outgoing DUP MP David Simpson added: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family. This is obviously alarming news from a quiet residential area – this is an absolutely horrific incident.
“We will be working with the police and I understand an individual has been apprehended.”
SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden described the murder as a “heinous crime” that has shocked the entire community.
He said: “It’s difficult to find the words to describe a heinous crime like this. The entire community is just in shock that someone could murder an elderly couple in their own home like this.”