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'I'm lost and broken': Father pays tribute to two children found dead in house in Derbyshire

Jason Bennett has paid tribute to his son John, left, and daughter Lacey, believed to have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire. (Facebook)
Jason Bennett has paid tribute to his son John, left, and daughter Lacey, who are believed to have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire. (Facebook)

A father has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his two children, who are believed to have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire.

Four people were found dead at the home on Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, near Sheffield, at about 7.25am on Sunday.

Derbyshire Police, who have launched a murder investigation, said a man is in police custody and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Jason Bennett, from Sheffield, said the bodies of his son John, 13, and daughter Lacey, 11, were discovered at the house, along with their mother – named locally as Terri Harris – and a friend of Lacey’s.

Jason Bennett has paid tribute to his son John, left, and daughter Lacey, right, believed to have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire. (Facebook)
Jason Bennett has paid tribute to his son John, left, and daughter Lacey, right, who are believed to have been found dead in a house in Derbyshire. (Facebook)
Police at a home in Killamarsh, Sheffield, where it is believed 4 bodies have been found. September 20 2021. See SWNS story SWLEmurder; A man has been arrested and a major incident declared by police probing a murder after four people were found dead in a house. Cops made the grisly discovery on Sunday morning after being called out to a home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, after concerns were raised about the people living there. Derbyshire Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Police at a home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where four people have been found dead. (SWNS)

Mr Bennett wrote on Facebook: “Absolutely broken my heart into a million pieces.

“I’m writing this as I’m lost and broken on a four-hour drive back home having just received heartbreaking news that my beautiful boy John and beautiful daughter Lacey have been taken away from me.

Watch: Man arrested after four people found dead at Derbyshire house

“Life will never be the same. I love you both more than anything. I wish I could hold you and kiss you and tell you how much I love you. Thank you for making my world.

“I need my babies back. My angels.”

The father to some of the victims leaves flowers at the scene in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, where four people were found dead at a house on Sunday. Derbyshire Police said a man is in police custody and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. Picture date: Monday September 20, 2021.
The father to two of the four victims found dead in a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, breaks down in tears as he lays a floral tribute at the scene. (PA)
Messages left by the father to two of the victims on bouquets of flowers at the scene in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, where four people were found dead at a house on Sunday. Derbyshire Police said a man is in police custody and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. Picture date: Monday September 20, 2021.
Messages left on bouquets of flowers by the father of two of the four victims found dead at a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. (PA)
(Reach)
Four people have been found dead at a house in Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. (Reach)

At the scene on Monday, the father of two children found dead in the house said he is “heartbroken” and “shattered”.

He collapsed in tears as he laid flowers at the police cordon around the property. He stayed at the scene for more than half an hour.

In one card with the flowers, Mr Bennett had written: “To Lacey, my TikTok queen, lost without you.

“Look after your big brother and don’t wind him up.”

In another card, he wrote: “To John, my beautiful son, keep your kind heart shining while the angels are looking after you for me.”

Asked about his feelings as left the scene, he said: “Heartbroken, million pieces, shattered.”

Debbie and Trevor Bennett, the grandparents of two of the victims, speaking to the media at the scene in Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, near Sheffield, where four people were found dead at a house on Sunday. Derbyshire Police said a man is in police custody and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. Picture date: Monday September 20, 2021.
Trevor and Debbie Bennett, the grandparents of two of the four victims found dead at a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. (PA)

Mr Bennett’s mother and father Debbie and Trevor Bennett were also at the scene.

Mrs Bennett said both children loved football and that Lacey was a “proper” girl and John enjoyed his computers.

Speaking about her son, Mrs Bennett said: “I don’t know how he’ll come through this. He’s going to need a lot of strength.”

They said their son was on holiday when he found about the tragedy.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Routledge, who is leading the investigation, said: “We would really like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the early hours of this morning, or has any information which they think could help with our inquiries.

“No matter how small you think that information may be, please do get in touch with us.”

“It is understandably a worrying time for the community, and we would like to thank them for their patience and understanding at this time.

Police at a home in Killamarsh, Sheffield, where it is believed 4 bodies have been found. September 20 2021. See SWNS story SWLEmurder; A man has been arrested and a major incident declared by police probing a murder after four people were found dead in a house. Cops made the grisly discovery on Sunday morning after being called out to a home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, after concerns were raised about the people living there. Derbyshire Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
An overhead view of a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where four people have been found dead. (SWNS)
(Reach)
Police have launched a murder investigation after four people were found dead at a house in Derbyshire. (Reach)

“Residents will continue to see a large police presence in the area, and patrols are being carried out for reassurance.

Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

One neighbour told the PA Media news agency: “I’m shocked. I think people will be devastated.”

The Outwood Academy City school in Sheffield said it was closed on Monday.

It tweeted: “It is with great sadness that the academy will be closed today.

“A tragic incident has taken place in the community involving three of our students. We will however be open to any students who need our support.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this sad news.”

North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley offered his condolences following the “terrible and hugely tragic” incident.

“Terrible and hugely tragic news from Killamarsh this evening. Our condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them,” Rowley said on Twitter.

The Tory MP also paid tribute to Killamarsh as a “lovely” community” that would show its resilience “at this difficult time”.

“Killamarsh is such a lovely, close knit and warm community and I know that many residents will be shocked & worried by the news,” he tweeted.

“This is believed to be an isolated incident with an arrest having been made. I’ve no doubt that the village will pull together at this difficult time.”

Watch: Four people found dead at house in Derbyshire