Manhunt under way after mother and son found murdered in Coventry

Public warned not to approach potentially dangerous suspect Anthony Russell

Police are searching for 28-year-old Anthony Russell, of no fixed abode, who is thought to have possibly travelled to Devon or Cornwall (West Midlands Police)

Police have launched a manhunt after the suspected murder of a mother and son in Coventry.

The news comes after a man’s body was discovered in a flat one day after his mother's body was found at her home.

A double murder probe has been launched and the suspect has been named as Anthony Russell.

Russell, aged 28, from no fixed address, but with links to Coventry, is now sought in connection with the two murders. It’s thought he could have travelled to Plymouth, or elsewhere in Devon or Cornwall. 

He is considered dangerous, West Midlands Police said, and members of the public are advised not to approach him, but to call them with any information regarding his whereabouts “as a matter of urgency”.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and is currently in custody, the force said.

The body of 58-year-old Julie Williams, who was last seen on 20 October, was discovered by police and paramedics on Sunday night at her flat at Emily Smith House in Riley Square, following concerns for her welfare.

David Williams, her 32-year-old son, was found dead in a flat also in Riley Square at around 11:30pm the following day.

He had also last been seen on 20 October and was reported missing on Saturday evening. 

West Midlands Police had said that he was not a suspect in his mother’s death as they launched an appeal to find him on Monday.

The cause of both of their deaths are yet to be established, and post-mortems are due to take place soon.

“These deaths are very sad and my thoughts are with David and Julie’s family at this difficult time,” said Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, of the force’s homicide team.

“Our investigation continues at significant pace but we need to find Russell as soon as possible. I’m urging anyone with information about where he is to get in touch with us straight away.”