: IT teacher, 36, and his garden centre worker wife, 33, who were killed at home 'in front of their children' amid claims they were embroiled in a long-running dispute with neighbours over parking - as police quiz two men, 34 and 67, over murder: IT teacher, 36, and his garden centre worker wife, 33, who were killed at home 'in front of their children' amid claims they were embroiled in a long-running dispute with neighbours over parking - as police quiz two men, 34 and 67, over murder

 A couple who were killed while their children were at home amid a long-running dispute with neighbours over parking have today been pictured for the first time.  

IT teacher Stephen Chapple, 36, and his garden centre worker wife Jenny, 33, were found at the property on a new-build estate in the sleepy Somerset village of Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, on Sunday night.   

The pair - named locally - were found with serious injuries and died at the scene. 

Police confirmed two children were in the house at the time, with neighbours saying they were boys aged four and seven. 

Two men, aged 34 and 67, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They were still in custody last night. Avon and Somerset Police said the incident would be referred to the policing watchdog due to 'prior police contact with those involved'.  

One of their neighbours and his father have been arrested on suspicion of murder, it is understood. 

A woman living nearby said: 'We didn't see much of [the suspect] really, but there had been rows in the past about parking.' Rob Brooks, manager of the Otter Garden Centre, where Jenny worked in the coffee shop, told MailOnline: 'She was a well loved member of staff and a very kind person.

'We all loved her and so did the customers. We are devastated. We will remember her as a beautiful, kind and dedicated mother and colleague. This has hit us all very hard and it feels very raw.' 

IT teacher Stephen Chapple, 36, and his garden centre worker wife Jenny, 33, were found at their property in the Somerset village of Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, on Sunday night

IT teacher Stephen Chapple, 36, and his garden centre worker wife Jenny, 33, were found at their property in the Somerset village of Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, on Sunday night

The pair - who were named locally - were found with serious injuries and died at the scene. Jenny is pictured in a social media photo

The pair - who were named locally - were found with serious injuries and died at the scene. Jenny is pictured in a social media photo 

A forensic officer pictured today at the scene in Norton Fitzwarren, a sleepy village near Taunton

A forensic officer pictured today at the scene in Norton Fitzwarren, a sleepy village near Taunton 

A message placed on tributes outside Dragon Rise. Police are continuing to investigate the lead-up to the Chapples' deaths

A message placed on tributes outside Dragon Rise. Police are continuing to investigate the lead-up to the Chapples' deaths 

Mr Brooks said that Jenny had been working at the garden centre since the start of the year.

He added: 'Stephen and the kids would sometimes come in and we got to know them too. They were a really close knit, loving family.

'There's a lot of speculation going around that this was a neighbourly dispute but I don't want to get into any of that right now.' 

Neighbours living on the new build estate around Dragon Rise described the neighbourhood as quiet, and one neighbour described the victims as 'very friendly'.

'I knew them by sight but I didn't know their names, my dog used to really like the lady.' 

Another neighbour said he had not realised anything was wrong even when the air ambulance arrived, and had believed it had just been from the nearby military base.'We slept through it all - we only saw all of the police and the tape this morning,' he said. 

Others said they heard screams and later the police and emergency services arriving.   

A police cordon is still in place at two properties on the street while officers carry out a forensic examination of the scene. 

Due to prior police contact with those involved, a voluntary referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. 

A formal identification process and post-mortem examinations to determine the causes of death will take place in due course.  

Officers were called to Dragon Rise (pictured today) in Taunton, Somerset, at 9.45pm on Sunday. The couple were found with serious injuries

Officers were called to Dragon Rise (pictured today) in Taunton, Somerset, at 9.45pm on Sunday. The couple were found with serious injuries 

A police officer guards Dragon Rise in Taunton today. Flowers have been left nearby by wellwishers

A police officer guards Dragon Rise in Taunton today. Flowers have been left nearby by wellwishers 

Detective Inspector Neil Meade, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: 'The thoughts of everyone in the force this morning are with the families of the two people who sadly died last night. 

'Two young children were inside the property at the time of the incident and while thankfully they weren't hurt, they are understandably distressed at what has happened.

'They are being looked after and specially trained officers have been deployed to support the victim's families in what is undoubtedly the most difficult of times.'

He added: 'We will carry out a full and thorough investigation and we will do all we can to achieve justice for the victim's families.

'While this appears to be an isolated incident, there will be increased police activity in the area to provide the community with reassurance.

'Incidents like this are very rare but when they do happen, we know they cause significant concern so we'd urge anyone with worries or questions to speak to dan officer or contact their local neighbourhood policing team.

'If anyone has information which would help our investigation, please phone 101 and give the call-handler the reference number 5221274497.'

A forensic tent is pictured today at the scene of the suspected double murder in Taunton

A forensic tent is pictured today at the scene of the suspected double murder in Taunton  

Due to prior police contact with those involved, a voluntary referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct

A woman living nearby said: 'We didn't see much of (the suspect) really, but there had been rows in the past about parking'  (image taken yesterday)

A woman living nearby said: 'We didn't see much of (the suspect) really, but there had been rows in the past about parking'  (image taken yesterday) 

No comments:

Powered by Blogger.