Massacre mum ‘was pregnant’
Man held after sleepover killings that left four dead ‘had self-inflicted injuries’
‘Our entire family is destroyed’
A MAN arrested on suspicion of the murders of his partner, her two children and a school friend needed hospital treatment for ‘self-inflicted’ injuries, police revealed yesterday.
The suspect has been named locally as Damien Bendall, 31, the boyfriend of murder victim Terri Harris – who neighbours said was believed to be in the early stages of pregnancy.
Miss Harris, 35, was found dead on Sunday morning along with her son John Paul Bennett, 13, daughter Lacey Bennett, 11, and Lacey’s best friend Connie Gent, also 11, who had been on a sleepover.
Last night, police said the arrested man remained in custody and had not been charged. A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said Miss Harris had told his mother she was pregnant but felt she could not yet tell her own family. Mr Bendall is said to have been in a relationship with Miss Harris for six months and had moved into her home in Killamarsh, North Derbyshire, ‘a couple of months ago’.
The neighbour added: ‘It’s so heartbreaking because the little kids have done nothing wrong.
‘Terri told my mum she was pregnant but couldn’t tell anyone yet as it was still early in the pregnancy.’
Diane Bennett, 63, the grandmother of John Paul and Lacey, visited the scene yesterday to lay flowers. She said the killings had ‘ruined two beautiful families’, adding: ‘I don’t know how we will cope, but we are a loving family. I can’t come to terms with what happened.
‘Three kids have been killed. No child should have to go through all of that.’
Of the rumours that Miss Harris was in the early stages of pregnancy, Mrs Bennett said: ‘I heard she was pregnant, but I don’t know.’
Derbyshire Police would not comment on the pregnancy rumours. The force said the suspect, who was arrested at the scene, ‘was taken to hospital with self-inflicted minor injuries’. Jason Bennett, the father of John Paul and Lacey, has shared a post on Facebook calling for the return of the death penalty.
Connie’s uncle Chris Gent said last night: ‘Our entire family is destroyed and we’ll never get over the loss.’
Mr Gent – older brother of Connie’s father Charlie, 31 – said he also supported the return of capital punishment. Paying a heartfelt tribute to his niece, he said: ‘Connie was the sweetest, most lovely girl. She was the happiest girl in the whole world. Charlie is totally broken. He is devastated.
‘He can’t believe he will never see his daughter again. How can you go on a sleepover and end up dead? It’s senseless.’ Mr Gent added residents in Killamarsh said the handcuffed suspect was taken away from the scene on Sunday morning by ambulance.
One man said: ‘An ambulance took him away in handcuffs. I’m still shaking from it all.’
It is understood the man was standing outside the house, bleeding from his injuries.
Officers appealed for doorbell, dashcam and other video camera footage from near the scene on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Detective Chief Inspector Sally Blaiklock, of Derbyshire Police, said last night: ‘Our thoughts remain with the families of Terri, John Paul, Lacey and Connie – as well as the communities that have been affected by this most tragic of incidents.’ Well-wishers have raised £15,000 in support of the families.