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| Newton Stacey deaths: Dad 'killed children and himself' | Newton Stacey deaths: Dad 'killed children and himself' |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Two children are thought to have been stabbed by their father before he took his own life, the BBC understands. | Two children are thought to have been stabbed by their father before he took his own life, the BBC understands. |
| Police believe the man was Michael Pedersen, from Surrey, who was found in Newton Stacey, Hampshire, with his children Ben, seven, and Freya, six. | Police believe the man was Michael Pedersen, from Surrey, who was found in Newton Stacey, Hampshire, with his children Ben, seven, and Freya, six. |
| The children had already been found dead before their mother reported them missing on Sunday evening, police said. | The children had already been found dead before their mother reported them missing on Sunday evening, police said. |
| Mr Pedersen, 51, was an ex-serviceman who survived an IRA attack in London, a former colleague has told the BBC. | Mr Pedersen, 51, was an ex-serviceman who survived an IRA attack in London, a former colleague has told the BBC. |
| Nail bomb | Nail bomb |
| Alex Chalmers said he served in the Household Cavalry with Mr Pedersen. | Alex Chalmers said he served in the Household Cavalry with Mr Pedersen. |
| Four members of the Household Cavalry and seven horses were killed in the IRA bomb blast on 20 July in 1982. | Four members of the Household Cavalry and seven horses were killed in the IRA bomb blast on 20 July in 1982. |
| Mr Pedersen and his horse Sefton survived when a nail bomb in a car was detonated in Hyde Park, Mr Chalmers said. | Mr Pedersen and his horse Sefton survived when a nail bomb in a car was detonated in Hyde Park, Mr Chalmers said. |
| The horse survived despite suffering 34 separate wounds that required eight hours of surgery and became a famous symbol of the time. | The horse survived despite suffering 34 separate wounds that required eight hours of surgery and became a famous symbol of the time. |
| Mr Chalmers, from Bashley, Hampshire, said he had seen Mr Pedersen in July at an event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the bombing. | |
| "He was in good spirits. He didn't mention anything at all, he was just good humoured," Mr Chalmers said. | |
| "I only saw him twice since I left the Army, the other time was at a comrade's birthday a couple of years ago. | "I only saw him twice since I left the Army, the other time was at a comrade's birthday a couple of years ago. |
| "I'm just shocked and saddened. There's two young kids there who had their lives ahead of them." | "I'm just shocked and saddened. There's two young kids there who had their lives ahead of them." |
| The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of an incident involving a former serviceman but declined to comment further. | The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of an incident involving a former serviceman but declined to comment further. |
| It is thought Mr Pedersen, who was estranged from the children's mother, was visiting his father in Andover. | It is thought Mr Pedersen, who was estranged from the children's mother, was visiting his father in Andover. |
| Det Supt Tony Harris, of Hampshire Police, said the "tragic incident" happened during an arranged visit. | Det Supt Tony Harris, of Hampshire Police, said the "tragic incident" happened during an arranged visit. |
| 'Extremely distressing' | 'Extremely distressing' |
| He said Surrey Police will refer the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) because of some previous contact with Mr Pedersen. | He said Surrey Police will refer the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) because of some previous contact with Mr Pedersen. |
| Surrey County Council said it could not yet comment on whether Mr Pedersen was known to social services as there has been no formal identification. | Surrey County Council said it could not yet comment on whether Mr Pedersen was known to social services as there has been no formal identification. |
| He was living in Chertsey, Surrey, while his children were living with their mother Erica in Ashford, Surrey, and attended Ashford Primary School. | He was living in Chertsey, Surrey, while his children were living with their mother Erica in Ashford, Surrey, and attended Ashford Primary School. |
| Head teacher Caroline Dyer said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened at this news. | Head teacher Caroline Dyer said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened at this news. |
| "The school is in contact with the relevant authorities but as this is currently the subject of a police investigation we are unable to make any further comment." | "The school is in contact with the relevant authorities but as this is currently the subject of a police investigation we are unable to make any further comment." |
| The children's maternal grandfather, William Clifford, 67, said outside his daughter's home: "We are obviously devastated and what we would ask is that you respect our privacy in this matter." | The children's maternal grandfather, William Clifford, 67, said outside his daughter's home: "We are obviously devastated and what we would ask is that you respect our privacy in this matter." |
| The three bodies were found next to a car by a dog walker at about 18:15 BST. | The three bodies were found next to a car by a dog walker at about 18:15 BST. |
| Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out later. | Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out later. |
| Newton Stacey is about five miles south of Andover, between Chilbolton and Barton Stacey, and is made up of a handful of cottages and country homes. | Newton Stacey is about five miles south of Andover, between Chilbolton and Barton Stacey, and is made up of a handful of cottages and country homes. |
| 'Terrible incident' | 'Terrible incident' |
| Passer-by Andy Harris, who lives locally, was in the area with his wife. | Passer-by Andy Harris, who lives locally, was in the area with his wife. |
| He said: "It's shocking, you don't know what to think. You don't expect this type of thing in the countryside." | He said: "It's shocking, you don't know what to think. You don't expect this type of thing in the countryside." |
| Det Supt Tony Harris, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Throughout the night, police worked to identify the families of the victims and notify them of what had been discovered. | Det Supt Tony Harris, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Throughout the night, police worked to identify the families of the victims and notify them of what had been discovered. |
| "A Home Office pathologist attended the scene and at this stage it appears that the children suffered fatal stab wounds and Mr Pedersen took his own life soon afterwards. | "A Home Office pathologist attended the scene and at this stage it appears that the children suffered fatal stab wounds and Mr Pedersen took his own life soon afterwards. |
| "We are treating this as an isolated incident and we do not believe anyone else was involved. | "We are treating this as an isolated incident and we do not believe anyone else was involved. |
| "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved at this extremely difficult time and I would ask that they be allowed to come to terms with what has happened in a dignified and respectful way." | "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved at this extremely difficult time and I would ask that they be allowed to come to terms with what has happened in a dignified and respectful way." |
| Police said the coroner had been informed. | Police said the coroner had been informed. |