‘I need my babies, my angels’
DAD’S GRIEF AS SIBLINGS, THEIR MUM AND FRIEND ARE FOUND DEAD
THE father of two children found dead in a house in Derbyshire with their mother and a school friend has told how he is “absolutely heartbroken”.
Jason Bennett collapsed in tears as he laid flowers for his children, John Paul, 13, and Lacey, 11, at the police cordon around the property in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, in North East Derbyshire.
Derbyshire police said their mother, 35-year-old Terri Harris, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, were also found dead at the property on Sunday morning.
In a social media post, Mr Bennett wrote: “I didn’t protect my beautiful babies enough and now they have been suddenly taken away from me.”
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
THE father of two children found dead in a house in Derbyshire said he is “heartbroken” as police named all four victims.
Jason Bennett collapsed in tears as he laid flowers for his children, John Paul, 13, and Lacey, 11, at the police cordon around the property in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, in North East Derbyshire.
Derbyshire police said their mother, 35-year-old Terri Harris, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, were also found dead at the property on Sunday morning.
Mr Bennett stayed at the scene for more than half an hour yesterday, clearly distraught and being comforted by a friend or relative.
Asked about his feelings as left, he said, “heartbroken; million pieces; shattered”.
The force said a 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
On social media, Mr Bennett described his son John and daughter Lacey as his “angels”.
He said: “I need my babies back. Life will never be the same. My angels. Won’t be long till I’m touching your cheeks, holding you close and kissing your beautiful faces. Only you two can fix me”.
In another post from Sunday night, he wrote: “Absolutely heartbroken my heart into a million pieces.
“I didn’t protect my beautiful babies enough and now they have been suddenly taken away from me.
“I’m writing this as I’m lost and broken on a four-hour drive back home having just received heartbreaking news that my beautiful boy John and beautiful daughter Lacey have been taken away from me.”
Derbyshire police said they were called to the house at around 7.25am on Sunday and found the bodies of four people.
Becky Poole, from Killamarsh, who was also laying flowers, said: “I’m just absolutely heartbroken.
“I am also a swimming teacher and I knew the kids.
“Derbyshire police need to do more. I know this is probably an isolated incident, but there’s too much.”
Ms Poole said she has been campaigning against violence against women following other incidents in north Derbyshire. She said: “Three children there. What can I say? It shouldn’t happen.
“I know nobody knows the full story but what can we do? Something needs to be done about vio lence. We’ve had stabbings, we’ve had shootings and now we’ve had another murder.”
Asked if this was unusual in Killamarsh, Ms Poole said: “It’s not but it’s becoming more and more within the area.
“Killamarsh used to be a really nice village. You could walk around. Now people are scared to go out.” She continued: “I’ve just been down to Aldi, there’s people buying flowers and talking about it. “It’s Monday morning. Those kids should be going to school but they’re not.”
One man living close by said: “I’m shocked. I think people will be devastated.”
The man, who has lived in his home in the area for just over a year, said he believed the family who live in the house at the centre of the investigation had been there for five or six months. He said the children used to play in the front garden, near his home. Chandos Crescent remained sealed off yes
I didn’t protect my beautiful babies enough and now they have been suddenly taken away from me. Jason Bennett
terday with a number of police officers patrolling the street and many police vehicles parked in the surrounding area.
The house is semi-detached, of a prefabricated design, with a large playing field on one side, which was also cordoned off. There was a blue police tent in the front garden and forensics officer were conducting inquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Routledge, who is leading the investigation, said: “We would really like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the early hours of [Sunday] morning, or has any information which they think could help with our inquiries.
“No matter how small you think that information may be, please do get in touch with us.
“It is understandably a worrying time for the community, and we would like to thank them for their patience and understanding at this time.
“It was important to us that close relatives of those involved were informed before we could give further details about the incident.
“Residents will continue to see a large police presence in the area, and patrols are being carried out for reassurance. If you do have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak to (officers).”
Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the Chandos Crescent area between 9.30pm on Saturday evening and 7.30am the following day and who may have information that would be helpful to the investigation.