The victims of a suspected triple murder in Northamptonshire are an NHS nurse and her two young children, aged four and six, police have said.
Northamptonshire Police said a 52-year-old man continues to be questioned in connection with the deaths in Kettering on Thursday.
Officers and ambulance crews were called at 11.15am to Petherton Court. where a woman and two children were found with serious injuries and later died.
Northamptonshire Police said in a statement: “Formal identification is yet to take place however the woman is believed to be 35-year-old Anju Asok, and the two children – Jeeva Saju, aged 6, and Janvi Saju, aged 4.
“A man arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident remains in police custody being questioned by detectives.”
Police confirmed that Anju was a staff nurse at Kettering General Hospital.
The hospital chief executive, Deborah Needham, said in a statement: “Yesterday we received the extremely upsetting news that one of our colleagues had died in circumstances being investigated by Northamptonshire Police.
“Anju Asok was an internationally trained nurse who joined our KGH family in 2021 and predominantly worked on Barnwell B – one of our Orthopaedic wards.
“She was a committed and compassionate staff nurse, who was loved and respected by her dear friends and colleagues.
“All our thoughts are with her friends and family as they come to terms with this sudden loss.”
The hospital is offering appropriate professional support to her colleagues.
The senior investigating officer in the inquiry, Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, said: “We continue to work around the clock in order to progress this investigation and establish the timeline of events which led to these tragic deaths.
“Forensic post-mortem examinations will be taking place today and tomorrow, and our Neighbourhood Policing Team continue to be on patrol in the Petherton Court area today to offer reassurance to local residents.
“We remain committed in seeking justice for Anju, Jeeva and Janvi, and although we are not seeking anyone else in connection with their deaths, I would still encourage anyone with any information to contact us, either by calling 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
Local residents expressed shock at news of the deaths.
Speaking a day after the fatalities, business manager Pierino Geranio, who runs his uncle’s barber shop near to the cul-de-sac where the incident happened, said: “You speak to people about it and they just can’t believe it.
“I come here every day to work and you never expect anything like this – it’s so tragic. It’s totally terrible, beyond comprehension.”
Several bunches of flowers have been left beside the police cordon blocking off Petherton Court, alongside cuddly toys.
An unsigned note attached to one of the tributes read: “We were shocked and devastated by the news. The community will always remember this extremely sad and distressing incident. RIP. We hope you are in a better place.”
