Murder probe as three die in house blaze
Because of the coronavirus lockdown, the daytime killing is thought to have been witnessed by many residents, who looked on shell-shocked from their windows.
Police officers were later seen paying close attention to a white Seat Leon car, which is believed to have been Victoria’s, before it was towed away.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I feel so sorry for the children. They have lost a lovely mum.
“I understand that the couple were having relationship problems and might have been living apart recently.”
Victoria
Rotherham was a nurse General Hospital at and was a keen long-distance runner. She recently competed in the Harewood House Half Marathon in Leeds to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Police, paramedics and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance all raced to the couple’s house after neighbours dialled 999.
But despite desperate efforts Victoria was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her husband was arrested close to a nearby MOT garage. Floral tributes and cards were left at the scene of the incident yesterday. One card said: “Taken from us.Always in our hearts and thoughts. A loving mummy.”
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman
DETECTIVES have launched a murder investigation after a couple and their daughter all died in a house fire.
Gary Walker, 57, his wife Caroline, 50 and their 24-yearold Katie were found by emergency crews on Sunday afternoon. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
A blue tent was erected near the house in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, and it was cordoned off.
The alarm was raised by neighbour Peter Downer who saw smoke coming from the bathroom at the front of the end-of-terrace four-bedroom house.
Peter, 67, said: “We called the fire brigade when I saw smoke coming from the toilet.We were shocked when we heard what happened. They were a quiet family and had lived here for a
Victoria Woodhall, left, died after attack. Police and forensics specialists on the scene yesterday, above. Floral tribute, inset
said: “A 40-yearold man is currently in custody after a 31-yearold woman was stabbed during an incident in Barnsley yesterday evening. “Emergency services were called to Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, just before 5pm, following concerns that a woman had been stabbed.
“Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead when officers arrived
Sarah Lumley Attended
at the scene. The man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
“There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area today as officers continue to carry out inquiries.”
The force said officers will remain at the scene as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. long time.” He said Gary had been a draughtsman, Caroline a supermarket worker while Katie worked with animals.
Another neighbour said: “They were a lovely family.They had been here for about 30 years. It is a terrible tragedy. We don’t know what happened.”
Katie’s older sister Sarah was said to have moved away several years ago and the couple also had a son.
Fire and forensic officers were at the £400,000 property yesterday where an Audi and a Ford were parked on the driveway.
Yesterday, Hertfordshire Police confirmed a murder probe was under way and added: “Officers and paramedics attended but sadly three people were pronounced dead at the scene.
“Formal identification is yet to take place however they are believed to be two women, aged 50 and 24, and a man, aged 57.”
Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said officer were considering “all possible motives”.
He said: “We are dealing with three suspicious deaths and are not looking for anyone else in connection to this incident at this time.
“We are treating this as an isolated incident. Our early inquiries have led us to believe there is no threat to the wider community.”
He added: “Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this incident.”