London 'three children found dead'..[ 4077 ]

New Malden deaths: Arrest after three children found dead

BBC., 23 April 2014 Last updated at 12:02 GMT

 

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The children's father is understood locally to be called Gary Clarence

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.
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.
A 42-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.
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, police said.
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.

 
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Police placed flowers from members of the public outside the house

 

He 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.

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Local residents spoke of their shock and sadness at the deaths

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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.
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.

 

 Police were standing outside the house in New Malden

 

"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."

 
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Two teddies, bouquets, pot plants and a child's skipping rope were laid on the driveway of the house

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".
"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.
Ben Worsfold, 25, who lives in a neighbouring street, brought his son Leon, 10, and daughter Casey, two, to leave teddy bears on the driveway of the house.
He said he had struck up a conversation with Mr Clarence three weeks ago opposite the house. "He was friendly," he said.