Suspect surrenders over village murder of mother and daughter

An elderly woman and her daughter have been found murdered in their country home after a young man turned himself in to police.

The murder suspect, aged 20, is believed to be a relative of the dead women, named as Theresa, 83, and Elizabeth Francis, 53. Police found the bodies in a detached home in the village of Ropley, near Alton, Hampshire, at 11pm on Thursday, after being alerted by the suspect.

He had gone to Winchester police station in Hampshire on Thursday evening, but the station was closed, so he drove 15 miles to Southampton to speak to officers. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being questioned yesterday.

Both women are believed to have met extremely violent deaths. A pathologist was examining the bodies yesterday and they were removed last night for a post-mortem examination in Basingstoke. Forensic specialists spent the day examining the scene, including bloodstains on the concrete patio outside the front door. A murder weapon has not been found.

Theresa Francis was the widow of a wealthy banker and shared the two-storey white mansion home, set between two farms, with Elizabeth. A private driveway to the secluded house, named Wykeham House, was sealed off with police tape. A summer pavilion stood to the side of the house with a double garage to the rear. The house is in about half an acre of gardens.

The couple were described as popular and devoted and enjoyed horse riding, walking, reading and painting. Neighbours said the killings had left the villagers in shock. A friend said: "They were such wonderful people and loved each other dearly. There was a very special bond between them as mother and daughter.

"I used to see them in the village and I was quite good friends with them both. They enjoyed classical music and spent a lot of time in their garden. They really enjoyed the countryside and the peace and quiet that comes with it."

The friend added: "Theresa and Elizabeth became even closer since Theresa's husband died. But really she never got over his death. I cannot believe anyone would want to do this to two such lovely people."

A neighbour added: "They had lived together at the house as mother and daughter for many years. They got on really well together and always came around at Christmas with a box of chocolates for me."

Chief Inspector Gary Linton of Hampshire police said: "We have a man in custody ... There is some blood in the house that we are analysing but I cannot say how much. We don't know for sure what happened and we have not found a murder weapon."

He added: "The bodies were found by a police officer after he had forced entry into the house. He found them on the ground floor of the house. There is nothing to suggest that entry to the house had been forced prior to our arrival."

Police asked the public to contact them if they saw anything suspicious in Petersfield Road between 7pm and 11pm on Thursday.

¿ Mark O'Hare, 25, was charged with murder and attempted murder yesterday after his parents were battered with a claw hammer. John O?Hare, 51, died and his wife, Diane, 44, was critically injured in the attack at their home in Oxton, Merseyside, on Wednesday. Mr O'Hare will appear at Wirral magistrates' court today.