Mum and son, 13, stabbed to death in leafy West Mids home as husband hospitalised

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 13-year-old boy and his mother were stabbed to death inside their home in the West Midlands.

Tracey Wilkinson and her son Piers were discovered inside the family property in Stourbridge shortly after 8am on Thursday morning, while husband Peter was found collapsed in the back garden.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said Mrs Wilkinson, aged in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene while the teenager was pronounced dead in hospital.

Mr Wilkinson remains in hospital with stab wounds to his chest and back.

Detectives said a man aged in his 20s was arrested in a nearby road 30 minutes later in a Land Rover stolen from the scene in Greyhound Lane.

Speaking at a press conference at the scene, Superintendent Lee Kendrick, from West Midlands Police also confirmed two police officers had suffered minor injuries.

He said: “Clearly our investigation is at a very early stage but we understand the suspect was known to the family and may have been living at the address – although he is not a family relative.

“We don’t think this was a burglary or a robbery.

“What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking. Police and ambulance were confronted with an awful scene: a man, woman and boy all with very serious stab injuries.”

Mr Kendrick added that the suspect is known to police and they were “exploring the nature” of his relationship with the victims, although he is not a family member.

Shocking pictures show a mangled police van that residents say was smashed into head-on by the stolen vehicle on Osmaston Road.

Other images show the Discovery 4X4 crumpled after crashing into a wall on Norton Road between Beech Road and Stanley Road.

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A woman who lives on Osmaston Road, but who did not want to be named, said: “We just thought it was just a stolen car, but now we’ve heard what’s happened it’s awful.

“It’s clear what happened. The suspect must have sped off from Greyhound Lane and over the roundabout to Racecourse Lane.”

She added: “He’s smashed straight through it. He must have been going at some speed right through it.

“Then where he’s crashed there are no other cars, so he must just have lost control.

“That poor family, I really hope they are OK.”

Neighbour Maggie Panes, who lives opposite the Wilkinson’s home, said: “We know them to talk to and by name but we don’t socialise with them.

“It’s absolutely tragic, my heart goes out to them. What sort of person can do this? What’s happened in that house?

“It wasn’t a burglary so it’s not like it could have happened to anybody but it doesn’t make it any less tragic.

“You’re looking for answers, is it drugs or alcohol or mental illness?”

She added: “They must’ve moved in about seven or eight years ago. She (Tracey) was so thrilled and excited about the house.”

Another neighbour in Greyhound Lane said: “At first I thought it was a car accident as at 8.40am Greyhound Lane is a busy road.

“I saw five police cars, two or three unmarked police cars, two ambulances and two helicopters – and then you realise it’s more than a traffic accident.”

She said she saw an ambulance carrying a patient away and added: “I’m quite shocked and surprised.

“It’s a quiet residential area; it’s not something that you’d expect.”

“The woman and boy were found in the house and the man in the garden.”

He added: “Our investigation is progressing at pace and we are working to understand exactly what the relationship was between the man and the family.

“At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff it became apparent at the scene that nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed deceased.

“The teenage boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and received specialist trauma care and advanced life support from our staff.

“He was taken on blue lights to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with treatment continuing en route.

“Sadly, shortly after arrival in A&E and despite the best efforts of ambulance staff and hospital medics, he could not be saved and he was also confirmed dead.

“The man, who was conscious, was also in a serious condition as a result of his stab wounds and was alerted in to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance.”

Top pic: SWNS