Father and daughter killed in double murder in Deptford

A murder investigation is under way after a man and his daughter were killed in the middle of the night in his south London home.

Noel Brown, 69, and his daughter, Marie, 41, were found by police in the property in Deptford, Lewisham, at around 2.45am on Monday morning.

Detectives are particularly interested in sightings of Mr Brown in betting shops, with people he did not usually associate with.

DCI Simon Harding, who is leading the investigation, said: "I urgently need the public's help to establish the last movements of both Noel Brown and Marie Brown in the week before their deaths.

"Noel, in particular, was well known in the area, and he frequently used local betting shops.

"I want to hear from anyone who spent time with him or saw him at any point in the past week, especially if he was in the company of people with whom he didn't normally associate."

No arrests have been made and police have stepped up patrols in the area.

Neighbour Collette Lavelle was quoted as saying she heard "petrified screams" at around 2am.

Police attended the address, in New Butt Lane, after being alerted by someone who was concerned for the welfare of Mr Brown. They forced entry and found the two bodies in the house.

No cause of death has been given, and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.