Man charged with murdering three Exeter pensioners in their 80s

Alexander Lewis-Ranwell will appear in court over the weekend

Forensic officers outside house in Bonhay Road, where one body was found (PA)

A man has been charged with murdering three pensioners in Exeter, including two twins, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.

Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, from Croyde in North Devon, is set appear at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Saturday after he was accused of murdering Anthony Payne, 80, and twins Dick and Roger Carter, 84.

The 27-year-old has also been charged with two offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Payne was discovered dead on Monday, while the bodies of the Carter twins were discovered the following day.

Mr Lewis-Ranwell, who was first arrested earlier this week, remains in police custody.

Superintendent Matt Lawler, local policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon, said: “All of our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victims. You’ll continue to see officers on foot patrol, speaking to residents, and conducting investigative work at the two addresses in the city over the coming days.

“We are grateful for the messages of support that communities in and around Exeter have been expressing in recent days. We would like to sincerely thank local residents, our partner agencies and local councillors for their understanding and co-operation.”

Tributes have been paid to the three older men, who all sustained serious head injuries.

Floral tributes left on Cowick Lane, where Dick and Roger Carter were found dead (Ben Birchall / PA)

Ronnie Teague, 73, the brother-in-law of Mr Payne, described his shock at news of the death.

“It is such a shocking thing to hear,” Mr Teague told Devon Live. “He was just a normal and friendly bloke. He used to be an outgoing chap and used to go to the pub a lot.”

Martyn Liddon, 76, who runs the Exeter-based Men In Sheds charity, said he was “gutted” to hear of the deaths of Dick and Roger Carter.

“I don’t think they had a bad bone in their body, either of them,” he said. “Roger had pretty bad arthritis and he used to hobble down to Sainsbury’s. If I saw him walking along I used to say good morning. He was a bit more of a recluse than Dick was.”

Additional reporting by Press Association