A couple found dead alongside a man after a “targeted attack” at a retirement complex in Buckinghamshire have been pictured for the first time.
Police launched a murder probe after they were called to reports of a disturbance at a property in Spring Gardens, Bourne End, shortly before 10pm on Tuesday and found the bodies of a man and a woman in their 60s and a man in his 50s.
The couple in their 60s have now been named locally as Susan and Jeffrey Farance.
Thames Valley Police said the three were all known to each other and evidence suggested a serious assault had occurred.
The Bucks Free Press said Orchard House, a Red Kite Community Housing sheltered scheme, was cordoned off after police and forensic officers arrived.
Residents reacted with shock after watching armed officers descend on the quiet village.
Eve Speitht, 60, who lives on the floor where the bodies were found, described hearing a commotion before armed police began searching her home.
She told The Independent: “My husband and I were watching TV and I heard men shouting and running around then later armed police knocked on my door and they wanted to search all the rooms.
“You can imagine but police officers with guns searching all around under the bed. They were looking for someone. Later we heard helicopters above the house.“I knew two of the people killed, Sue and Jeff. Sue was very lovely; I’d see her around the corridor and at events.
“They would argue sometimes but I didn’t know them that well to say anything more.
“It’s really shocking what happened; I found out this morning three people were killed – it’s a complete shock.“This has never happened here, this is a very friendly area and everyone helps each other here.”
Christine Bolton, 84, said it was “such a scary thing to happen”.
Speaking at the cordon surrounding the retirement complex, shetold The Independent: “I didn’t hear anything strange until armed police knocked on my door.
“It was a shock – they told me there had been an incident and that I should lock my door and stay inside. It’s terribly sad.”
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, of the major crime unit, said: “The next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, our thoughts remain with them at this most difficult time.
A scenes of crime officer enters a building at the retirement complex as police continue to investigate
“We are in the very early stages of this investigation and we are dealing with a very complex inquiry, which appears a targeted attack.
“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
“We would ask anyone who may have heard a disturbance or who may have seen anyone or anything unusual in or around Orchard House or Spring Gardens between 5pm and 10pm on 19 April to please come forward and call 101, quoting reference 2037 of 19/4/2022.”
The force said a crime scene would remain in place for a number of days and the public would see an increased police presence in the area.
Resident Eve Speitht, 60, speaks outside Orchard House, where three people were found dead in a ‘targeted attack’
