4:00pm Sunday 30th November 2008
By Echo Reporter
AN elderly couple murdered in their Bournemouth bungalow were bludgeoned to death, a post mortem has concluded.
Arthur Toop, known as Bob and believed to be aged in his 80s, and his wife Joan, thought to have been in her 70s, both sustained multiple blunt force head injuries. Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue also concluded that Bob also suffered sharp force chest injuries. A 52-year-old woman found at the scene on Friday evening with serious injuries – and believed to be the dead couple’s daughter Susan Toop - has been arrested.
Officers have been stationed at her bedside in Poole Hospital.Dorset police are awaiting medical advice as to when she can be brought into police custody. A Police spokesman has said that no one else is being sought in connection with the incident.
All three people found at the address in Charminster lived at the Uplands Road bungalow.
A neighbour told the Daily Echo Susan had moved in with the couple about three years ago.
DCI John Crossland is leading a team of officers from Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team. The property has been taped off and a white forensic tent put up outside the front door.
Police were called to the detached property shortly after 9pm on Friday by people described by police as “concerned friends and neighbours.” Peter Hearn, who lives opposite said: “We came back from an evening with friends at around 12.15am to find police all over the place. “As soon as we saw the tent we knew it was more than just a burglary. We’ve been here 20 years and it’s a very pleasant, quiet area.”
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she often said hello to the friendly couple. She said: “They had two dogs and the man used to take them out very early each morning." Tim Clarke, aged 67 added: “This is shattering news. Most of us here are in our 60s or over and it’s such a quiet road.”
And another resident said she was “shocked” by the news. She said: “I did hear some sounds in the night but it just sounded like people coming home and taxi doors slamming so I didn’t get up and check. “This is the sort of road where you know people and are friendly to them, even if you don’t know their names.”
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222.
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