Tragic New Forest girls found next to mother (From Bournemouth Echo)

Tragic New Forest girls found next to mother

7:00pm Tuesday 3rd August 2010 in

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THE bodies of two children were found lying next to their mother after their father apparently killed them before taking his own life, an inquest has heard.

Phoebe Case, two, and her 18-month old sister Nereya were found lying “side by side” next to their mother Vicki in the living room of their home in Fordingbridge.

Details of the gruesome discovery were heard as the inquest into their deaths was opened at Southampton Coroner’s Court this morning.

Keith Wiseman heard evidence from Det Ch Insp Chris Fitchit, who is leading the case.

He described how the bodies of the children were found lying next to their mother Vicki, 31, by grandmother Linda Haskall. She had not been able to get hold of them by telephone and so went to the house at Provost Street where she made the gruesome discovery last Monday morning.

She then went into the street to raise the alarm.

DCI Fitchit also described how the body of Andrew Case, 33, who is believed to have carried out the killings, was found hanging from the banister.

Post-mortem examinations found that Vicki, who ran her own nursery, had died after being stabbed in the neck and chest, while Andrew, a lorry driver, died as the rest of hanging.

Toxicology results were still awaited on the bodies of the two girls but no obvious injuries were found to their bodies. The inquest was told.

Police also revealed that they still did not know why Mr Case had apparently carried out the killings, but confirmed no one else was being sought in connection with the deaths.

DCI Fitchit said: “We are currently piecing together background information and looking for a motive.

“I express my sincere condolences to the extended family, it is a tragic and horrific incident and we shall no doubt hear a great deal more about the background circumstances in due course.

No family were present during the ten-minute hearing.

l The funeral of Vicki Case and her daughters Phoebe and Nereya will take place at St Mary’s Church, Fordingbridge on Friday at 3pm.

The service will be followed by private cremation.

Members of Mrs Case’s family have asked for any donations to be made to the Star’s Appeal at Salisbury District Hospital through John Shering funeral directors of Provost Street, Fordingbridge.

No information has yet been released about the funeral of Andrew Case.