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Police hunt man suspected of killing three family members in Didcot Police hunt man suspected of killing three family members in Didcot
(35 minutes later)
Police have been searching Oxford University Parks for a man suspected of killing three members of his family, including a six-year-old girl. Armed police are hunting for a 21-year-old man suspected of stabbing to death his mother, her partner and their six-year-old daughter at their home in Oxfordshire.
The girl’s body was found alongside that of a 46-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man at a property in Didcot, Oxfordshire, on Saturday night. As the duration of the search for the suspect Jed Allen approached 24 hours on Sunday night, detectives confirmed the names of the dead as Philip Howard, 44, Janet Jordan, 48, and their daughter Derrin Jordan.
Police said on Sunday they were urgently trying to trace 21-year-old Jed Allen, who was previously known to them, in connection with the deaths. Allen formerly worked as a groundsman at the university and the search centred on the parkland area owned by the university near the city centre. Their bodies were discovered at the family home in Didcot, Oxfordshire, on Saturday night.
Around 20 officers carrying riot shields were seen entering Oxford University Parks, which was closed off to the public, and a blue forensic tent was set up in the grounds. A police helicopter hovered over the area. Detectives took the highly unusual step of naming Allen as the suspect as they appealed for information about his whereabouts. He is believed to have lived with the family until recently.
A city-wide manhunt for the 21-year-old was centred on Oxford University parks, where Allen worked as a groundsman. Armed police and sniffer dogs were scouring the fields for clues.
A blue forensic tent was set up in the area, which was sealed off from the public all day on Sunday and is about 15 miles from the property where the three bodies were found in Vicarage Road, Didcot.
UPDATE:About 20 police in riot gear at Ox Uni Parks as part of Jed Allen triple murder manhunt http://t.co/oaXTweWalx pic.twitter.com/02YzaVgowNUPDATE:About 20 police in riot gear at Ox Uni Parks as part of Jed Allen triple murder manhunt http://t.co/oaXTweWalx pic.twitter.com/02YzaVgowN
DS Chris Ward said of Allen: “He is now a suspect in this inquiry and it’s very important we locate him as quickly as possible. He is described as 6ft tall, of large build and, distinctively, he has a tattoo on his left hand of a spider.” . Det Supt Chris Ward, head of the Thames Valley police major crime unit, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of Janet, Philip and Derrin. Officers are continuing their enquiries today and this includes attempts to locate Jed Allen.
“As you may well have seen, there have been officers conducting searches in a number of areas in Oxford and Didcot today. It is vital that we trace Jed Allen and I would urge anyone who has any information about his whereabouts to contact police via the 101 number.”
Do you have any information about Jed Allen? Wanted in connection with three murders in #Didcot http://t.co/Xs62sYj5lJDo you have any information about Jed Allen? Wanted in connection with three murders in #Didcot http://t.co/Xs62sYj5lJ
Ward said of Allen: “He is now a suspect in this inquiry and it’s very important we locate him as quickly as possible. He is described as 6ft tall, of large build and, distinctively, he has a tattoo on his left hand of a spider.”
He said he did not believe that Allen posed a threat to the public but said people should not approach him if sighted and should call 999 immediately.
Have you seen Jed Allen?Wanted in connection with the murders of three people.Call 101 with info (URN 465 24/5) pic.twitter.com/7x10IB4GG9Have you seen Jed Allen?Wanted in connection with the murders of three people.Call 101 with info (URN 465 24/5) pic.twitter.com/7x10IB4GG9
He said he did not believe that Allen posed a threat to the public but said people should not approach him if sighted but should call 999 immediately.
The bodies were discovered at a house in Didcot after a call from a member of the public just before 8.30pm on Saturday. The family moved into the house within the past two months and had lived in the area before that, Ward said. Allen, listed on Didcot council’s website as a gardening apprentice, lives a 20-minute walk away from the property. Pictures posted on Instagram by Allen showed him brandishing a knife and an axe.
Jed Allen has a distinctive tattoo on his left hand. Please call 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 with info pic.twitter.com/X8yzfHloHCJed Allen has a distinctive tattoo on his left hand. Please call 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 with info pic.twitter.com/X8yzfHloHC
The bodies were discovered after a call from a member of the public just before 8.30pm on Saturday. The family moved into the house within the past two months and had lived in the area before that, Ward said.
Allen, listed on Didcot council’s website as a gardening apprentice, lives a 20-minute walk away from the property. Pictures posted on Instagram by Allen showed him brandishing a knife and an axe.
Relatives of the victims have been informed of the deaths and are being looked after by specialist officers.Relatives of the victims have been informed of the deaths and are being looked after by specialist officers.
Sheila Welch, who lives on the road where the bodies were found, told the Press Association that the first that she knew that anything had happened was when police descended on the quiet residential street. Sheila Welch, who lives on the road where the bodies were found, told the Press Association that the first that she knew that anything had happened was when the police arrived.
“They are new neighbours and had only been here a couple of months – I don’t know their names,” she said. “They are new neighbours and had only been here a couple of months – I don’t know their names,” she said. “I used to see them: a lovely mother and a little girl. They always looked so happy … All I can say is that I am very upset, it is all very traumatic.”
“I used to see them: a lovely mother and a little girl. They always looked so happy ... All I can say is that I am very upset, it is all very traumatic.”
Police have visited a number of addresses associated with Allen and are continuing to search in and around the Didcot area.
Ward refused to speculate on the cause of the deaths but said no firearm was involved. A postmortem examination was due to take place on Sunday.