News / Crime
Entire community shaken by the deaths of three young children
Floral tributes left by the police cordon on Blaise Walk in Sea Mills have been carried down to the home where three young children tragically died.
A sombre air hangs over the quiet residential street on Monday following the deaths of a ten-month-old baby boy, a three-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy, who were found inside a property in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police arrested a 42-year-old woman at the scene on suspicion of murder. The woman was taken to hospital due to injuries she sustained, which are not life threatening. She remains in police custody.
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Sea Mills Primary School closed on Monday and a local playgroup was also cancelled as churches and community spaces threw open their doors to enable people to grieve and rally together on behalf of those affected by the devastating deaths.
Floral tributes left by the police cordon on Blaise Walk in Sea Mills have been carried down to the home where three young children tragically died
“There’s incredible shock among families and neighbours as well, and everybody who’s been impacted – it’s a close-knit community,” says Deborah Marsh, a church leader at Highgrove Church, speaking to Bristol24/7 by the square in Sea Mills.
Here, the former Methodist church has been opened for those who knew the family to come together.
People across the community are rallying in the wake of the tragic deaths, with volunteers working around the clock to provide teas and coffees and support for those affected.
Vicar Sally Thomas (left) and church leader Deborah Marsh say the whole community is in a state of shock
Vicar Sally Thomas says the close-knit community is in a state of shock: “We’ve opened up our church, St Edyth’s, today for the community to gather to grieve together.
“There’s been prayer and silence and quiet for people to express themselves. School staff have come together to the church to express their grief, as well as some children.
“And, this evening, we have a gathering at Highgrove Church, where we will be praying for those impacted.”
Sea Mills Primary School closed for the day on Monday and the playgroup was cancelled following the tragic deaths
A post from the playgroup organisers on social media says: “Due to the tragic events in our community today, playgroup will be cancelled on [Monday] morning.
“Our hearts go out to the family and their friends, neighbours, school friends and wider community.”
Chief inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen has described the deaths of three young children as a “terrible and deeply distressing tragedy”.
“The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police,” she told the gathered media on Monday morning.
A “complex and sensitive” murder investigation is underway, with forensic post-mortem examinations carried out on the three children not expected to be complete until later this week at the earliest.
Police say formal identification is yet to take place but the children’s next of kin have been informed and are being given all the help and support they need by specialist family liaison officers.
The chief inspector added: “It’s important to stress we are treating this as an isolated incident and we don’t believe there to be any ongoing risk to the wider community.
“We’ve been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief, we’ve seen spontaneous acts of care and support..
“The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police.”
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