St Leonards shooting: Family pay tribute to mother and daughter fatally wounded at home

Two women shot dead at a house in the town of St Leonards in East Sussex have been named as a mother and daughter.

Heather Whitbread, 53, and Michelle, 32, were fatally wounded at their home in Bexhill Road in the town on Friday night.

Relatives of the victims, who died at the scene, have paid tribute to two “beautiful people that filled our family with laughter”.

“Heather and Michelle were both special, generous and kind people who loved life, but most of all their family,” the grieving family said in a statement issued through Sussex Police.

“They will both be sorely missed leaving a gap that can never be filled. We now just wish to be left to grieve in private as a family.”

Officers were called to the house at 7.43pm last Friday, leading two other women – including one who is pregnant – to safety.

Police said two hours later the suspect was arrested.

The 35-year-old man, known to the victims, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. A gun was also recovered.

Two other women at the property were taken to hospital suffering from shock.

The shooting sparked a massive police response and surrounding streets were cordoned off. Some families were even asked to leave their homes during the manhunt.

Inspector Mark Rosser tweeted about “one of the worst shifts in 25 years” and said the Metropolitan Police was called in to help.

Sussex Police has said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting but has issued an appeal for any witnesses to contact the force.

Additional reporting from agencies