Couple stabbed to death as they end night shift at store
“Police discovered the bodies of a man and a woman outside the premises at 6am and arrested one man, who is currently in police custody.
“Both of the victims worked at our Cardiff branch so understandably all of our colleagues are receiving our full support.
“We request that they are given the space to deal with this at this difficult time.
“That is all we know at this stage and we are working tirelessly with the police in their investigations.
“We extend our condolences to the families of everyone involved.”
Heartbroken colleagues said the young couple had been together for less than four months after striking up a romance while working together at the store.
One said: “This is a terrible tragedy. They had only started seeing each other and made a lovely couple. We are all in bits and no one could face opening the store today.” Sales assistant Lee and fashion graduate Zoe met while working shifts together – and he dubbed her Tinkerbell.
Zoe, who lived with her parents, had studied fashion at the University of South Wales before landing the job as a visual merchandiser at the giant Matalan store in June.
Her parents were yesterday described as “distraught” . A neighbour said: “She was so excited about starting work and everything was going so well for her.
“Zoe went off to work as normal but never came home. She was a beautiful girl and this is terrible.”
Lee, who lived with his widowed mother Thelma, 68, in Grangetown, Cardiff, had worked at the store since it opened in October 2014.
The pair began dating in July and were described as “being in the first flush of romance”.
Last night, a spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Police are attending an incident that was reported to us at around 5.50am.
“South Wales Police is investigating the deaths of a man and woman, following the discovery of two bodies in Queen Street, Cardiff. Emergency Services attended the scene at approximately 05:50hrs on 28 September.” He added: “A man has been arrested and is currently in police custody and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident at this time.
“There may be some disruption in Queen Street due to police cordons and we ask for the patience of the public while investigations are ongoing.”