Detectives rule out re-opening ‘serial killer’ cases of murdered pensioners

DETECTIVES have not re-opened an investigation into a series of murders of pensioners which a leaked report claimed could be the work of a serial killer.

Cheshire police said in a statement that each case was under review but there was no reason to believe they were not investigated “appropriately” at the time.

Inquests into the deaths concluded they were all murdersuicides, with husband attacking wife before killing himself.

But a confidential report leaked to the Sunday Times last month raised concerns that they could have died at the hands of a serial killer.

Media reports suggested the possibility of a link between five murder-suicide cases – two in Cheshire, two in Greater Manchester and one in Cumbria – spanning 1996 to 2011.

A suspect who lives in the north of England is identified in the report but cannot be named for legal reasons, according to the Sunday Times.

Yesterday, Detective Chief Superintendent Aaron Duggan, of Cheshire Constabulary, said:

“These articles were based upon a report completed by a member of police staff working in the coroner’s office in Cheshire.

“The report was not approved by either the constabulary or the coroner’s office.

“Some media reports have referred to the author as a senior coroner or coroner and this is factually incorrect.

“The circumstances by which the report was shared with the media are subject to an internal review. The contents of the report and its conclusions are being considered by detectives.

“At this time, there is no reason to believe that the cases were not investigated by the police appropriately.

“They were also the subject of inquests.

“For these reasons, the constabulary has not re-opened the cases, however this decision will remain under review.”