Police continue to quiz 52-year-old man on suspicion of murdering a mum and her two kids as neighbours react with horror to the killings
Police are continuing to quiz a 52-year-old man on suspicion of murdering a mum and her two kids as neighbours reacted with horror to the killings on their doorstep. Emergency services rushed to Petherton Court, in Kettering, Northants., after the woman and children were found with serious injuries on Thursday morning (15/12). A six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl later died in hospital while their mother was pronounced dead at the scene at around 11.15am. A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at around 1.30pm 'covered in blood' and remains in police custody today (Fri) being quizzed by detectives. Northamptonshire Police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths, which occurred at a ground floor flat within Petherton Court. Horrified neighbours have reacted with shock to the triple murder on their quiet residential street and described armed police descending on the scene. One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I've heard the bloke was arrested nearby after a couple of hours and was covered in blood. "I think he's stabbed them but police wouldn't tell us for definite. It's just absolutely horrific so close to Christmas. Those poor babies hadn't even started out in life. "There are a lot of elderly people who live in those flats and I didn't know the family myself. I just heard shouting and looked outside and saw flashing blue lights. "There was an air ambulance, armed police and it was just crazy really. It's hard to comprehend the horror at the moment. We're still digesting it. "They were just innocent children probably looking forward to Christmas, I can't get my head around it." One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I have a lot of people come by when I'm out in the garden, the children used to come over and see the dogs. "We don't have that much going on here on this street. We're all pretty close. It's such a shock. "At the time I was looking after my son's dog and he managed to open the doors and ran down the road. "I had to go down to the centre to get the dog. By the time I was back, there was all this. It all happened in 15 minutes. I thought, "what's happened? "When I got back the police and ambulances were here. It's terrible. "There were two armed police I could see. They were all there. I imagine they'd have to with it being a knife or whatever. "I thought they were all old people in the flats over there. I might have met the children if they had come over and met the dog at the gate. ""It's all so sad. It's Christmas. It's like the lake with the little boys who died. "It's a quiet area really. My grandkids are aged ten and it really hits home." Another resident, who lives further down the road, said: "It's really heartbreaking to hear. It's no way to go for anyone. "It's terrible. Especially kids. How can anyone kill kids? "All the school kids walked past the flat earlier as well as they went to church. "How can anybody harm a kid, especially so close to Christmas." Police have appealed for any witnesses to get in touch and post mortem examinations are expected to take place in the coming days. On Thursday evening a Vauxhall Zafira parked outside the flat was taken away on a flat-bed lorry by police. Superintendent Steve Freeman, said: “There are no words to describe how upsetting this incident is but I want to reassure the public that we have a team of detectives working on the case, absolutely determined to get justice for this woman and the two children. “The man we have arrested is currently being questioned by detectives in custody however anyone with any information is encouraged to contact us, either by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. “We understand that the local community, and indeed many people across the country, will be shocked by this event. “It is a desperately sad incident and I want to be absolutely clear on our unwavering commitment in establishing what has happened here and in seeking justice for this woman and these young children.”