UK: Police confirm three children found dead at a home in Bristol were just seven, three and ten-months old
- 4 months ago
Police have confirmed three children found dead at a home in Bristol were just seven, three and ten-months old.
The ages of the three victims, who were two boys and a girl, were revealed this morning as part of an ongoing murder probe.
Their bodies were discovered by cops in Bristol in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A woman, 42, named locally as a Sudanese national Yasmine, remains in hospital after being arrested over the three murders and has sustained injuries that are described as not life-threatening.
And while the community in Sea Mills struggles to come to terms with the tragedy, Chief Insp Vicks Hayward-Melen gave an update at the scene in Blaise Walk.
Police have also confirmed they had 'prior contact' with the family just last month and would be making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct later today.
Chief Insp Hayward-Melen said: "I'd like to start by saying this is a terrible and deeply distressing tragedy in which three young children have lost their lives. Our thoughts are very much with the children's loved ones who are going through a horrendous ordeal.
"We were first called by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of the occupants early on Sunday. Officers arrived at 12.40am and found three children whose lives could not be saved.
"Forensic post mortem examinations will now be carried out on the children to establish the cause of death and it's important we don't give further detail on this until the proper processes have been carried out."
The post mortem is not expected to be done until the middle of this week at the earliest, she said.
She added: "Formal identification has not yet taken place, but we believe the victims are a boy, aged seven, a girl of three and a 10-month-old boy. Their next of kin have been informed and are being given all the help and support they need by specialist family liaison officers.
"A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital due to injuries she'd sustained. Her condition is not life-threatening and she remains in police custody at this time.
"Uniformed officers Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the area in coming days offering support and reassurance.
"It's important to stress we are treating this as an isolated incident and we don't believe there to be any ongoing risk to the wider community.
"We've been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief we've seen spontaneous acts of care and support. Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn. This is what being in a community is all about and we'd like to thank all those who continue to offer this important and selfless service.
"The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police.
"I know people will be eager to have answers, but the Major Crime Investigation team are in the very early stages of what will be a highly sensitive, complex and thorough investigation, and it will take time to establish all the facts. We anticipate we'll need to carry out further enquiries at the scene for the rest of the week and there will be some cordons in place while we do this.
"As is usual in circumstances where there's been prior police conduct, we have notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a mandatory formal referral will be made later today.
"We'll provide further updates when we can."
The ages of the three victims, who were two boys and a girl, were revealed this morning as part of an ongoing murder probe.
Their bodies were discovered by cops in Bristol in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A woman, 42, named locally as a Sudanese national Yasmine, remains in hospital after being arrested over the three murders and has sustained injuries that are described as not life-threatening.
And while the community in Sea Mills struggles to come to terms with the tragedy, Chief Insp Vicks Hayward-Melen gave an update at the scene in Blaise Walk.
Police have also confirmed they had 'prior contact' with the family just last month and would be making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct later today.
Chief Insp Hayward-Melen said: "I'd like to start by saying this is a terrible and deeply distressing tragedy in which three young children have lost their lives. Our thoughts are very much with the children's loved ones who are going through a horrendous ordeal.
"We were first called by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of the occupants early on Sunday. Officers arrived at 12.40am and found three children whose lives could not be saved.
"Forensic post mortem examinations will now be carried out on the children to establish the cause of death and it's important we don't give further detail on this until the proper processes have been carried out."
The post mortem is not expected to be done until the middle of this week at the earliest, she said.
She added: "Formal identification has not yet taken place, but we believe the victims are a boy, aged seven, a girl of three and a 10-month-old boy. Their next of kin have been informed and are being given all the help and support they need by specialist family liaison officers.
"A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital due to injuries she'd sustained. Her condition is not life-threatening and she remains in police custody at this time.
"Uniformed officers Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the area in coming days offering support and reassurance.
"It's important to stress we are treating this as an isolated incident and we don't believe there to be any ongoing risk to the wider community.
"We've been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief we've seen spontaneous acts of care and support. Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn. This is what being in a community is all about and we'd like to thank all those who continue to offer this important and selfless service.
"The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police.
"I know people will be eager to have answers, but the Major Crime Investigation team are in the very early stages of what will be a highly sensitive, complex and thorough investigation, and it will take time to establish all the facts. We anticipate we'll need to carry out further enquiries at the scene for the rest of the week and there will be some cordons in place while we do this.
"As is usual in circumstances where there's been prior police conduct, we have notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a mandatory formal referral will be made later today.
"We'll provide further updates when we can."