Teenager held over academic killed in his home
A TEENAGE boy was yesterday being questioned on suspicion of murdering an esteemed doctor at the home he shared with his fellow academic wife.
Dr Barry Hounsome, 54, who lectured at universities, died of a head injury at the £200,000 bungalow where he lived with economist Natalia Hounsome.
A murder inquiry was launched after the death of the lecturer, who specialised in health science.
The medical professional previously worked at the University of Southampton.
Dr Hounsome, who has also worked at Bangor University, studied conditions including Parkinson’s and dementia.
His wife, who neighbours in the quiet road said is German, is a lecturer in health economics who has worked at several universities in the UK after completing her PhD in Moscow, Russia, in 1996.
The 16-year-old suspect, from Gosport, Hants, was arrested after police were called to the couple’s home in the town on Monday night.
Yesterday the scene remained taped off as detectives investigated.
Devastated
The victim’s identity was revealed after police removed a grey Skoda Octavia from the property. The bungalow’s back window has been smashed.
Walter Knight, a neighbour and friend of the couple, said he has been left devastated by Dr Hounsome’s death.
Retired Mr Knight said the “very intelligent” couple have a teenage son.
Mr Knight said: “It’s such a shame what’s happened, the husband and wife were very lovely people.
“She was from somewhere in Germany, but I’m not completely sure.
“They were very nice people, they even got me a Christmas card every year.
“They were very quiet, but when you did speak to them you could tell they were very intelligent people.
“They had a son. I’m not sure how old he is but I think he is at college – I never really see him.”
Another Southcroft Road neighbour, in his 50s said: “It’s heartbreaking.
He wasn’t just a neighbour, he was a friend – him and his wife.
“They were such lovely and kind people who could never hurt a soul.
“I just don’t know how something like this could happen.
“I’m truly devastated by it all. Natalia is not from the UK and all of her family are abroad, I feel so bad for her.”
The University of Southampton confirmed Dr Hounsome was last employed there in 2014.