This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27122410
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 13 | Version 14 |
---|---|
New Malden deaths: Arrest after three children found dead | New Malden deaths: Arrest after three children found dead |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman believed to be the mother of three children found dead at a south-west London home has been arrested on suspicion of murder. | |
Officers were called to a property on Thetford Road, New Malden, at about 21:30 BST on Tuesday. | |
A girl, aged four, and twin boys, aged three, were pronounced dead at the scene. | |
It is understood all three had a disability and were cared for by their 42-year-old mother Tania Clarence. | |
The children are believed to have been born with a life-limiting genetic condition. | |
Their father Gary Clarence works as a director at City bank Investec. | Their father Gary Clarence works as a director at City bank Investec. |
On Tuesday night, a 42-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries and later discharged. | |
She was then arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody at a south London police station. | She was then arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody at a south London police station. |
Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and are currently not giving any details on the possible cause of the deaths. | Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and are currently not giving any details on the possible cause of the deaths. |
Post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course, police said. | Post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course, police said. |
BBC London 94.9's Jason Rosam said neighbours told him the family had recently moved into the house. | |
He said people in the area were "shocked and confused" by the deaths and that several evidence bags had been removed by officers from the property. | He said people in the area were "shocked and confused" by the deaths and that several evidence bags had been removed by officers from the property. |
A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said the family were originally from South Africa and had moved into the the large semi-detached house with their four children a year ago. | A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said the family were originally from South Africa and had moved into the the large semi-detached house with their four children a year ago. |
She said the three younger children were suffering from genetic disorders - but the eldest child, thought to be around seven or eight years old, was in good health. | |
"They are a very, very lovely couple. I saw them all the time about with their children," she said. | "They are a very, very lovely couple. I saw them all the time about with their children," she said. |
She said the father works in the City and the mother is a full-time carer for her children. | She said the father works in the City and the mother is a full-time carer for her children. |
They moved into the house after it underwent a "massive" refurbishment. | They moved into the house after it underwent a "massive" refurbishment. |
"She is such a lovely person," the neighbour said of the mother. "Her life revolves around the children." | "She is such a lovely person," the neighbour said of the mother. "Her life revolves around the children." |
Investec Bank, where Mr Clarence works as the director of investment banking for healthcare, said in a statement that the firm's thoughts were with him. | Investec Bank, where Mr Clarence works as the director of investment banking for healthcare, said in a statement that the firm's thoughts were with him. |
"Gary Clarence is a valued colleague and has worked with us for many years," it said. | "Gary Clarence is a valued colleague and has worked with us for many years," it said. |
"We do not know the facts at this time but our thoughts are with the Clarence family. | "We do not know the facts at this time but our thoughts are with the Clarence family. |
"We are doing all that we can to help Gary and his eldest child and ask that their privacy is respected." | "We are doing all that we can to help Gary and his eldest child and ask that their privacy is respected." |
According to the company's website, qualified solicitor Mr Clarence leads a team of five corporate broking specialists. | According to the company's website, qualified solicitor Mr Clarence leads a team of five corporate broking specialists. |
Retired nurse and health visitor Joy Devis, 86, said the news of the deaths was a "huge surprise and shock". | Retired nurse and health visitor Joy Devis, 86, said the news of the deaths was a "huge surprise and shock". |
"They are a delightful couple, they seemed to be very happy," she said. "Their children were super, lovely children. They were very happy, there was a very nice atmosphere there." | "They are a delightful couple, they seemed to be very happy," she said. "Their children were super, lovely children. They were very happy, there was a very nice atmosphere there." |
Mrs Devis said the family had help from a nanny and a maid. | Mrs Devis said the family had help from a nanny and a maid. |
Ben Worsfold, 25, who lives in a neighbouring street, brought his son Leon, 10, and daughter Casey, two, to leave teddy bears on the driveway of the house. | Ben Worsfold, 25, who lives in a neighbouring street, brought his son Leon, 10, and daughter Casey, two, to leave teddy bears on the driveway of the house. |
He said he had struck up a conversation with Mr Clarence three weeks ago opposite the house. "He was friendly," he said. | He said he had struck up a conversation with Mr Clarence three weeks ago opposite the house. "He was friendly," he said. |
Kingston borough commander Ch Supt Glenn Tunstall said additional officers were patrolling the area and were available for residents to talk to. | Kingston borough commander Ch Supt Glenn Tunstall said additional officers were patrolling the area and were available for residents to talk to. |