A Swindon man is being quizzed over the murder of a mum and three children in Derbyshire, according to reports.
Police were called to an address in Killamarsh at around 7.30am on Sunday morning (19 September) following concerns raised about the welfare of a man.
Four minutes later, when officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the bodies of 35-year-old Terri Harris, her two children, 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett and 13-year-old son John Paul Bennett, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, also 11, from Sheffield.
Damien Bendall, 31, who previously lived in Cranmore Avenue in Swindon, is believed to have been arrested on suspicion of their murder, The Sun wrote.
Speaking to media at the scene, Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “This has been an understandably shocking event that has deeply affected the local community in Killamarsh, as well as Connie’s family and friends in Sheffield, and our thoughts are also with them.
“I would also like to state my thanks to those officers who arrived at the scene with such speed as well as colleagues from the East Midlands Ambulance Service who attended the incident. All acting with immense professionalism in such a difficult situation.
“While understandably worrying and upsetting this is believed to be an isolated incident in which those involved were known to one another and nobody else is being sought in connection with the deaths.
“The force did not have any prior contact with those involved.
“The man officers arrested at the scene, a 31-year-old from Killamarsh, remains in police custody on suspicion of the murders of Terri, Lacey, John Paul and Connie.
“A team of detectives have been working through the night to understand the circumstances that led to their deaths and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward.”
