Man charged with murdering couple

Police have charged a man with two counts of murder after a Dunedin couple were found dead after a fire.

The bodies of Anastasia Margaret Neve, 35, and David Ian Clarke, 49, were found on January 22 after a fire ripped through the rear flat of a home in Wesley St, south Dunedin.

Police said the pair were dead before the blaze began and launched a homicide inquiry dubbed ‘‘Operation Wesley’’.

A 46-year-old man, who knew the victims, was initially arrested for arson, but has now been charged with two counts of murder. He is in custody and is due to appear in court this morning.

‘‘This is a significant milestone in the investigation, however, the dedicated CIB team still has a lot of detail to work through in order to ensure a robust, fair, and thorough investigation,’’ Detective Inspector Steve Wood said.

‘‘We know the arrest for murder will assist concerned members of the community, and help the families and friends of the victims feel safer as they recover from their ordeal.’’

‘‘The families of David Clark and Anastasia Neve are aware of the arrest, and say relieved and thankful.’’

Police declined to release details about how the couple died before the blaze.

This month, Clarke’s brother said his family were shattered by his death.

‘‘We are grieving ... we are going through that processs and we are a private family.’’ He would not comment on the police case and said he was not aware of his brother’s link with a gang.

Anyone with information for the investigation was urged to contact Dunedin police on (03) 417 4800 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. they are