Neighbours in shock over ‘unfathomable’ stabbing which left two women dead

Neighbours have expressed their shock at an ‘unfathomable’ stabbing which left two women dead on Christmas day.

Officers were first called to a block of apartments in Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley around 6.30 pm yesterday.

Police said a 38-year-old woman and a 24-year-old woman, both died at the scene.

A teenage boy and a man aged in his late twenties were also injured in the incident and were taken to hospital with serious injuries. They are both in a stable condition.

A dog was also injured in the attack and was taken to a veternarian but it did not survive.

Thames Valley Police has now said a 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in police custody at this time.

A woman who lives in the block of flats, who asked not to be named, said police were ‘swarming everywhere’ after the emergency services were called.

‘I was told that the man who did the stabbing was on the loose and running around the estate,’ she claimed. ‘I heard people saying ‘there’s a murderer on the run’.

‘This is a very close-knit family-style estate where a lot of people all know each other.’

She said that the area is ‘quieter than some of the other areas of Milton Keynes’ and she ‘cannot begin to fathom’ what caused the stabbing.

Another neighbour, a man who also asked to remain anonymous, claimed to have seen the family’s pet dog running around outside the flats with blood dripping from it.

‘I know that the police rushed it to a vet but I have since heard it died before anyone could do anything to save its life,’ he added.

He later spoke to a police officer who was making door-to-door enquiries.

‘All he would say was that it was a ‘one-off incident and that there was no wider risk to us,’ he said. ‘I have heard that the flat may have been in multiple occupancy – there were at least four people there when this happened. It is just so shocking.’

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, of the Major Crime Unit, said:  ’Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.

‘We have launched a double murder investigation, which may be concerning to the wider public; however, we have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and the parties are known to each other.

‘Members of the public will see a large police presence in the area while our investigation takes place.

‘If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to approach our officers and they will do their best to help.

‘Anyone with information or footage which you think could help our investigation, please call us on 101, quoting reference number 43240622935.

‘Alternatively, you can make a report online, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Ian Huntley’s ex-girlfriend Maxine Carr enjoys Christmas at ‘taxpayers’ expense’

MORE: The heart-breaking mystery after a young man died on ‘paradise’ island

MORE: Youths armed with machetes chase each with huge knives outside school