Police launch murder probe after mother and two children, four and six, were found dead in Kettering

A mother and two children, aged four and six, have been killed in Northamptonshire today with a 52-year-old male suspect arrested on suspicion of three murders.

Police have now launched a triple murder investigation after officers were called to Petherton Court in Kettering at 11.15am today.

The woman and her two children – a boy aged six, and a girl aged four, were found with serious injuries. The woman died at the scene and the two children later died in hospital.

The 52-year-old suspect remains in police custody. Officers are not seeking anyone else in connection with the murders, a spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police confirmed.

Police officers were called to Petherton Court in Kettering (pictured) at 11.15am on Thursday and a 52-year-old man has been arrested after a mother and her two children, aged four and six, were found dead

Speaking at the scene, Kettering Local Policing Area Commander – Superintendent Steve Freeman (pictured), of Northamptonshire Police, confirmed the family was living in a ground floor flat

Forensics teams (pictured) have spent the late morning and afternoon searching the flat

Police have now confirmed the victims were a mother and her two children who lived in a flat in Petherton Court. 

Speaking at the scene, Kettering Local Policing Area Commander – Superintendent Steve Freeman, of Northamptonshire Police, confirmed the family was living in a ground floor flat.

The man was arrested at around 1.30pm after part of Rockingham Road, which runs next to Petherton Court, was closed to traffic while police, paramedics and two air ambulances, scrambled to the scene.

Forensics teams have spent the late morning and afternoon searching the flat.

A forensics officer at the scene of the murders in Petherton Court this evening

An officer guarding the police tape line at the scene this evening

A Neighbourhood Policing Team will be on patrol in the Petherton Court area of Kettering this evening to offer reassurance and answer any questions residents may have. Pictured: Two uniformed officers outside the scene of the murders this evening

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A Vauxhall Zafira parked outside the flat was also taken away on a flat-bed lorry by police.

Police have insisted that detectives are ‘absolutely determined to get justice’ for the three victims.

Superintendent Steve Freeman, said earlier: ‘There are no words to describe how upsetting this incident is but I want to reassure the public that we have a team of detectives working on the case, absolutely determined to get justice for this woman and the two children.

‘The man we have arrested is currently being questioned by detectives in custody however anyone with any information is encouraged to contact us, either by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

‘We understand that the local community, and indeed many people across the country, will be shocked by this event. 

‘It is a desperately sad incident and I want to be absolutely clear on our unwavering commitment in establishing what has happened here and in seeking justice for this woman and these young children.’

Police officers were called to Petherton Court (pictured)  in Kettering at 11.15am on Thursday

Forensic post-mortem examinations to establish the cause of death will be taking place in the coming days.

A Neighbourhood Policing Team will be on patrol in the Petherton Court area of Kettering this evening to offer reassurance and answer any questions residents may have. 

Earlier, police wearing white forensic suits were seen outside Petherton Court.