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New Malden deaths: Arrest after three children found dead | New Malden deaths: Arrest after three children found dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children were found dead at a house in south-west London. | A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children were found dead at a house in south-west London. |
Officers were called to a property on Thetford Road, New Malden, at about 21:30 BST on Tuesday where the bodies of the children were found. | Officers were called to a property on Thetford Road, New Malden, at about 21:30 BST on Tuesday where the bodies of the children were found. |
A girl, aged four, and two boys, aged three, were pronounced dead at the scene. | A girl, aged four, and two boys, aged three, were pronounced dead at the scene. |
The parents are understood locally to be called Gary and Tania Clarence. | The parents are understood locally to be called Gary and Tania Clarence. |
A 43-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries and later discharged. | A 43-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. | Post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course. |
BBC London 94.9's Jason Rosam said neighbours told him the family had recently moved into the house and there is a suggestion some of the children had disabilities. | BBC London 94.9's Jason Rosam said neighbours told him the family had recently moved into the house and there is a suggestion some of the children had disabilities. |
He also 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 also 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 - believed to be life-limiting - but the eldest child, thought to be around seven or eight years old, was in good health. | She said the three younger children were suffering from genetic disorders - believed to be life-limiting - 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 are with him. | |
"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 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. | |
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. |