Father held over brother and sister killing
Caitlin Faith Samuel and Aidan Thomas Samuel were brother and sister
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Monday, 06, Nov 2006 07:20
A father has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his two young children in a north Wales village.
The 35-year-old was arrested last night after police called to an address in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, found the bodies of a five-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy.
Detective Superintendent John Chapman, who is leading the investigation into the deaths for North Wales police, confirmed that the children were brother and sister. They have been identified by police as Caitlin Faith Samuel and Aidan Thomas Samuel.
Police officers and an ambulance crew arrived at the scene at about 23:00 GMT and the two children were taken to Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan, where they were pronounced dead within an hour.
"Police inquires into the incident are well underway and I, along with my team of officers are currently in the process of trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths," Det Supt Chapman told reporters.
"A post-mortem into the deaths of the two children will be conducted today by Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rogers at Glan Clwyd hospital. The house and the area surrounding the property has been sealed and the house will be subject to thorough forensic examination."
He added that house-to-house inquiries will continue throughout the day and that the children's family, who he described as "traumatised" are being comforted by police liaison officers.
On confirming that the arrested man was the father of the two children, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jolly who is also working on the case said: "We are keeping a completely open mind about the cause of the deaths and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry."
A family statement released late this afternoon revealed added: "We cannot express just how much we loved our two little angels and how grief stricken we are.
"Following last night's tragic and incomprehensible incident, we are appealing directly to the media that they respect our wishes and that we are allowed the breathing space we so desperately need to come to terms with this terrible life changing situation in private so we can mourn in peace and with dignity."
Police are appealing for anyone with any information about the deaths to contact them immediately.