Exeter murders: Man arrested after bodies of three elderly men found in two properties

Killings 'unprecedented', police say as they formally link deaths of men in their 80s

Bonhay Road in Exeter, where a man's body was found on Monday (Google Street View)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of three men in their 80s were found in two properties in Exeter.

Police called the killings “unprecedented in our city” but said the investigation was still in its early stages.

The deaths of the three men, one aged 80 and two aged 84, are being treated as suspicious and are being formally linked, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday.

Previously, the body of the 80-year-old man was found at a home in Bonhay Road at about 3pm on Monday and the bodies of the two 84-year-olds were discovered after officers were called to a property in Cowick Lane at 1pm on Tuesday.

Police urged anyone who was in the area between 8am on Sunday and 1pm on Tuesday to call them on 101, quoting reference number 472 of 11 February.

Superintendent Matt Lawler, the local policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon, said in a statement: “I know that this news will cause significant and understandable concern and is an unprecedented event in our city which has shocked us all.

“I know that everyone’s immediate thoughts will be with the family and friends of these gentlemen, and as you would expect, we are providing as much support as we can to them.

“The investigation is being led by our major crime investigation team, supported by local detectives, forensic staff, family liaison officers, and an extensive range of other specialists who have been working around the clock since Monday afternoon."

He added: “Residents in the area of both Bonhay Road and Cowick Lane will continue to see police cordons today as we continue vital work. The local neighbourhood team will be out on foot over the next few days in order to provide advice, support, and to answer questions.

“While a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to these incidents, we must keep an open mind and avoid speculation as we are still in the very early stages of what is already a complex investigation.”