Police await results of further tests on children found dead at home

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/28/new-malden-children-dead-home-police-tests

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Police investigating the deaths of three young disabled children who were allegedly killed by their mother are awaiting the results of further tests after postmortem examinations proved inconclusive, Scotland Yard said. Tania Kim Clarence, 42, from New Malden, south-west London, appeared at Wimbledon magistrates court on Friday, distraught and sobbing as she faced charges of murdering the children.

The bodies of her four-year-old daughter, Olivia, and three-year-old twin sons, Max and Ben, were discovered when police were called to the family home on Tuesday night. All three children had spinal muscular atrophy, a life-limiting progressive disease that can cause fatal respiratory problems, friends have said.

Clarence was charged with three counts of murder. She is accused of killing the children at the family home in New Malden between 20 April and 23 April.

A bail hearing is due to take place on Tuesday. Clarence was remanded in custody and led weeping from the glass-panelled dock.