Ex-soldier on ‘car-parking’ murder charge
A FORMER soldier was last night charged with the murder of his next-door neighbours following an alleged dispute over parking outside their homes.
Collin Reeves, 34, is accused of killing Jennifer, 33, and Stephen Chapple, 36, at their home in Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, Somerset, on Sunday.
Reeves, who was said to have served in 24 Commando Royal Engineers, is due to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court this morning.
A post-mortem examination on Mrs Chapple concluded she died of multiple stab wounds. Results have not been released for Mr Chapple, but police have said he was also stabbed. The couple’s two young sons, aged five and six, were found asleep upstairs following the incident.
A 67-year-old man who was also arrested has been released under investigation.
Detective inspector Neil Meade, of Avon and Somerset Police’s major crime investigation team, said: ‘Specialist officers are providing support to Jennifer and
Stephen’s families and our thoughts remain with them this evening.
‘We’ve been keeping them fully updated on the progress of our investigation and they’re aware of this latest development. It is undoubtedly an extremely difficult time for them and I’d ask their privacy is respected as they continue to come to terms with what has happened.’
Police have referred their handling of the incident to the police watchdog due to ‘prior police contact with those involved’. Neighbours described Mr and Mrs Chapple as ‘friendly’. One said: ‘Our children played together, they both seemed really nice. Jennifer was really bubbly and lovely.’