Friends and neighbours have left floral tributes and teddy bears on the lawn of a home where a mother and daughter were killed.
Two teenagers, both 14, were due in court this morning charged with murder, following the discovery of two bodies in a house in Dawson Avenue, off Royce Road, Spalding, on Friday.
The two victims have not yet been formally identified but they are believed to be 49-year-old Liz Edwards and her 13-year-old daughter Katie.
Tributes have poured in for the two following their deaths, which have left the town reeling, particularly as they happened just a stone’s throw from the scene of Warren Free’s death in August 2014.
Elizabeth’s partner Graham Green posted a picture on Facebook, saying: “The lady meant the world to me. She was my rock and I was her ‘grumpy Graham’ And Katie, so young, lots of good times in front of us. RIP Liz, you are always in my heart, never ever forget I love you to the moon and back.”
Mary Cottingham (27), eldest of Elizabeth’s three daughters, also posted on Facebook: “‘I’m still in shock, can’t believe they are gone. I love them so much, I need my mum.”
“Gone too soon but will never be forgotten. I love you both.”
Katie’s father Peter Edwards, who was separated from her mother, posted: “Katie, the kisses I will give you I know you will feel I will know you will feel me stroke your beautiful hair Looking down upon me help me find strength the spirit you are kiss your mum for me for she is your mum and for that is love my Beautiful baby love DAD X”
He added: “The loved ones around us will keep us strong every step of the way.’
Elizabeth is believed to have been a dinner lady at nearby St Paul’s Primary School and Katie a student at the town’s Sir John Gleed School.
Both schools have declined to issue a statement this morning.
South Holland district councillor Pete Williams said he was “devastated” and “speechless” about the events which have unfolded in his ward and said he would be knocking on doors in the area later today to reassure neighbours.
Police officers remain at the scene this morning and are asking anyone who has concerns following the murders, or information about events leading up to them, to speak to them.Superintendent Paul Timmins said: “The events that unfolded in Spalding on Friday have understandably generated a great deal of local concern and upset.
“I would like to make clear that this type of crime is extremely rare and not something we often see.
“Indeed, we believe this is a completely isolated incident. There is still a lot of police activity in the area and extra officers in the neighbourhood and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to please talk to our officers.”
DCI Martin Holvey, of EMSOU Major Crime and who is leading the enquiry, said: “I still need to speak to anyone with any information that might be relevant from Dawson Avenue from around noon on Wednesday to noon on Friday.
“If you saw or heard anything that you thought was suspicious or unusual I’d encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible. Please call the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 163 of 15/04/2016 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police have said the victims will not be formally identified until a Home Office post mortem has been carried out, which could take a couple of days.
lMr Free (42) died after he was kicked, stamped on and attacked with a metal pole.
In July 2015, six teenagers aged between 15 and 17, were cleared of murdering him.
