Double murder probe is launched in the Cotswolds: Bodies of man and woman are found stabbed to death in two houses 15 miles apart as male ‘who was known to the victims’ is arrested
- Man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people were found dead
- The body of a man was found by emergency services in Cheltenham at 6.25am
- A short time later, the woman’s body was found in Bourton-on-the-Water
- Gloucestershire Police said the victims and the suspect are known to each other
Police have launched a double murder investigation after the deaths of a man and a woman were discovered in two Gloucestershire houses 15 miles apart on Wednesday morning.
A man, believed to be in his 40s and ‘known to the victims’, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
Emergency services were called to Sherborne Place in Cheltenham at 6.25am where the body of a man was discovered.
The body of a woman was found a short time later at an address in Bourton-on-the-Water, a popular tourist village in the Cotswolds which is about 15 miles from Cheltenham.
Gloucestershire Police said both victims were found with stab wounds and they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the killings.
Forensic officers at the scene in Bourton-on-the-Water where the body of a woman was found on Wednesday morning
Superintendent Roddy Gosden gave a brief press conference outside the flat in Cheltenham where the dead man was found, and said: ‘At around 6.25am today emergency services received a call to Sherborne Place in Cheltenham after reports of a serious assault.
‘Officers arrived to find a man in his 60s with stab wounds who was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
‘Following concerns about the welfare of a second person, officers visited the property on Whiteshoots Hill in Bourton-on-the-Water where they discovered the body of a woman in her 70s who had suffered stab wounds.
‘A man from Cheltenham has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with both deaths, which have been linked by detectives.
‘The suspect was arrested near to the scene in Cheltenham. The victims were known to him and officers are currently not looking for anybody in connection with the investigation.
‘Family members have been informed and our thoughts go out to them at this devastating time. They are now receiving support from specially trained officers.
‘A police cordon will remain in a number of areas as officers continue their investigation.
‘We are appealing for anyone who may have information which could assist us to please come forward.
‘This has been a challenging situation and we are providing support to officers and all those who have been impacted by these incidents.
‘Understandably people will be shocked to hear that two lives have been lost in such a tragic way.
‘Over the coming days officers will be in the local communities to provide reassurance, and we would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to us.’
The death in Cheltenham was in a ground floor flat in a mid-terrace house which was understood to have been divided into four flats.
A man in his fifties who lives in the flat above the deceased said: ‘I’m devastated – the man who died has been my best friend for the last ten years.’
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police added: ‘The Major Crime Investigation Team is in the early stages of an investigation and officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to make contact with police.
‘Investigating officers are also keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage that could be relevant to the investigation.’
Witnesses can contact police on 101 quoting incident 57 on March 2, or via Gloucestershire Police’s website.
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