Mother and two children found dead after father kills himself

(PA)

A man is believed to have murdered his family before killing himself, after four bodies were discovered in Leicester over the weekend.

Aram Abdul Razaq Aziz was found dead at Watermead Country Park on Friday evening, before the bodies of his former partner and their two small children were uncovered on Saturday morning.

Joy Small, 24, was found together with their three-year-old son Aubarr Aziz and two-year-old daughter Chanarra in their flat on Jersey Road, around two miles from the park.

The causes of their deaths have not yet been ascertained, and Leicestershire Police were keen to underline that their enquiries are still at an early stage. But with neighbours speaking of Mr Aziz having a tempestuous and sometimes violent relationship with Ms Small, in which the police had previously been involved, a spokesman for the constabulary said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: "Officers are investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths of all four. No causes of death have been established at present. Post mortem examinations are due to be held [today]. The deaths of the woman and children are being treated as suspicious."

While local residents spoke of their shock at what had happened, Jennie Bland, a 27-year-old neighbour and friend of Ms Small's, described Mr Aziz as an "abusive monster".

Miss Bland said that Ms Small had got a panic button installed after breaking up with Mr Aziz, and that the young mother had kept the fact they later got back together a secret, as she feared her children might be taken away for their safety.

"I knew what he was like," she said. "I met him a few times, he didn't like me because Joy could be herself when she was around me. She got back with him after being so strong after he poured petrol on her and tried to set her alight. He beat her all the time, the time he poured petrol on her he threw a mirror at her son. He tried to stop her seeing her friends, that's why he didn't like me.

Miss Bland added: "We fell out because she got back with him. I couldn't just sit back and let it happen, I should have just gone on my instincts and told the police and social services." She paid tribute to her friend as "a fantastic mum".

Other neighbours left flowers and cuddly toys outside the flat.