A
43-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three
children all believed to have a 'life-limiting genetic disorder' were
found dead in a large detached house in a London suburb.
The
£1.2million property in New Malden, south London, has been sealed off
with forensics officers removing bags of evidence through the night.
Neighbours
said that the South African couple living there, named locally as Gary
and Tania Clarence, had four children, but three were unwell and
required the full-time care of their mother.
Police
were called to the house in Thetford Road at 9.30pm yesterday, where
the young family had moved in around a year ago after a major
refurbishment.
The ages of the dead children have not been confirmed, and it is not clear whether their bodies of are still inside the house.
Tragedy: South African Gary Clarence hasd been
named locally as the father of the dead children, who were cared for by
his wife Tania
Probe: Police have launched a murder investigation and have arrested a 43-year-old woman, who is in custody
Investigation: Police guard a grand property in
New Malden, south London, where the bodies of three children were found
last night
A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said the family were 'really, really lovely people'.
She
said the three younger children, four-year-old twin boys and an older
girl, 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.
Neighbours
said the family moved into the house about a year ago after it
underwent a 'massive' refurbishment, including the installation of a
lift.
'They
are very nice people and very, very decent. She is such a lovely person
-her life revolves around the children,' one woman said.
She said the family have a nanny and help from carers.
Ethel
Winstanley, who lives opposite the couple, said she had met the family
last summer and congratulated them on the 'transformation' of the house
after its refurbishment.
'The
man was called Gary, that is all I know. We went across to say
'Congratulations, you have made the street look wonderful'.'
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she met the couple a fortnight ago at a barbecue in the neighbourhood.
'They were very friendly. He played golf and he had been playing golf that morning.
'We were out last night dancing and when we came home there were police cars and ambulances outside.'
Location: The children were found dead in a house in New Malden, south-west London
In
a statement, the Met said: 'Police were called at around 9.30pm on
Tuesday, 22 April, to three children found dead at an address in New
Malden.
'A
43-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains
in custody. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this
incident.'
The woman was being held for questioning in a south London police station.
A police officer was standing on the doorstep of the address this morning.
Post
mortem examinations were expected to be carried out on the three
children later today to establish the cause of their deaths.
In a statement, the Met said: 'Police were
called at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, 22 April, to three children found
dead at an address in New Malden
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