Police who found 12-year-old girl with severe learning difficulties and her 43-year-old mother dead in house smelled gas and evacuated as they feared explosion, inquest hears
Police evacuated house fearing gas explosion after being called to bungalow
When house was safe they re-entered and found mother and daughter, 12, dead
Louise Nash, who had ‘severe learning difficulties’, was stabbed in the abdomen
Post-mortem previously found her mother Jillu, 43, died from ‘pressure on neck’
One person has been arrested on suspicion of their murder, an inquest was told
A mother and daughter killed in a suspected double murder were found dead after police who were called to their home evacuated fearing a gas explosion, an inquest has heard.
The bodies of 12-year-old Louise Nash and her mother Jillu Nash, 43, were found at their bungalow in Heath Estate cul-de-sac in Great Waldingfield, Suffolk, on September 8.
A post-mortem examination recorded that Louise, who had ‘severe learning difficulties’, was stabbed in the abdomen, with a report for her mother ‘pending further investigation’.
Louise Nash (left) and her mother Jillu (right) were found dead after police who were called to their home evacuated fearing a gas explosion, an inquest has heard.
Louise Nash (left) and her mother Jillu (right) were found dead after police who were called to their home evacuated fearing a gas explosion, an inquest has heard.
A previous post-mortem suggested ‘devoted’ mother Ms Nash had died from ‘pressure on the neck’.
One person has been arrested on suspicion of their murder, the inquest in Ipswich was told.
Detective Inspector Craig Powell of Suffolk Constabulary told today’s hearing that the force received a 999 call from a ‘concerned friend’ at 10.01am.
Officers attended the property ‘which is the home address of husband and wife Jillu and Peter Nash, Mr Powell said.
He added that the couple live at the address with their daughter Louise, ‘who had severe learning difficulties’.
Jillu Nash (pictured) and her 12-year-old daughter, Louise, were killed at her bungalow in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, Suffolk on September 8. Her family have told of their ‘utter devastation, despair and pain’.
Jillu Nash (pictured) and her 12-year-old daughter, Louise, were killed at her bungalow in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, Suffolk on September 8. Her family have told of their ‘utter devastation, despair and pain’.
Louise Nash (pictured), 12, was stabbed fatally in the abdomen. Tributes flooded in following the pair’s death, saying her mother was ‘devoted’ to her.
Louise Nash (pictured), 12, was stabbed fatally in the abdomen. Tributes flooded in following the pair’s death, saying her mother was ‘devoted’ to her
He said officers forced entry but noticed a ‘strong smell of gas inside’ so withdrew, with neighbours also evacuated for safety and the fire brigade called.
Mr Powell agreed with the coroner that this was due to the ‘risk of explosion’.
The detective said officers entered the property once it had been made safe and they found the bodies of Louise and Ms Nash.
‘To date we’ve arrested one person on suspicion of the murder of Louise and Jillu Nash,’ Mr Powell said.
‘The suspect remains in hospital and awaits interview for the offences.’
Forensic police officers at the home of the mother and daughter who tragically died on September 8.
Forensic police officers at the home of the mother and daughter who tragically died on September 8
Suffolk’s senior coroner Nigel Parsley opened and adjourned both inquests ‘to allow for further investigation work to be completed’.
Police previously said that a 46-year-old man who was known to the mother and daughter was found in the property with serious injuries.
He remains in hospital under arrest on suspicion of two counts of murder.
Ms Nash’s family previously said in a statement: ‘We, the family of Jillu and Louise Nash, have been struck by utter devastation, despair and pain by the tragic way the beautiful little lives of a young mother and a child have ended and from whom we are now separated forever.
‘Our only solace is that Jillu and Louise are together in heaven eternally. This catastrophe will never leave us and the pain will stay in our hearts forever.
Flowers have been left outside the home where the mother and daughter were found killed. One person who lived in the village said Ms Nash ‘was devoted to her daughter’
Flowers have been left outside the home where the mother and daughter were found killed. One person who lived in the village said Ms Nash ‘was devoted to her daughter’
The family went on to say they were touched by Suffolk Constabulary’s ‘honest’ and ‘sincere’ efforts.
The statement continued: ‘We are also very grateful to Jillu’s neighbours, the people of Sudbury, work colleagues, school teachers, peers, friends and well-wishers.
‘We are astounded and comforted to learn of the way our daughter and granddaughter touched the hearts of so many in the Sudbury community.’
Ms Nash, who worked at the Homebase store in Sudbury, Suffolk, was described by friends and neighbours as a ‘lovely’ mother who was ‘devoted’ to her daughter, who was a pupil at Hillside Special School in the same area.
