Three arrested on suspicion of murdering elderly neighbours in Buckinghamshire village almost 18 months apart

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the deaths of two elderly neighbours in a quiet village almost 18-months apart.

Former public school teacher and university lecturer, Peter Farquhar, 69, was thought to have died suddenly in his sleep in October 2015.

But last summer police became suspicious and launched a murder investigation when his close neighbour, Ann Moore-Martin, 83, also died in similar circumstances.

Both pensioners passed away at their homes three doors apart in the leafy village of Maids Moreton near Buckingham.

It is thought suspicions were aroused as to the causes of death due to alleged frauds that were allegedly carried out following their deaths.

On Tuesday morning detectives from Thames Valley Police arrested three people on suspicion of murder and other offences.

One man was arrested at an address in Milton Keynes around 12 miles from Maids Moreton, while another was detained ten miles away in Towcester.

But the third was arrested more than 250 miles away at an address in Redruth in Cornwall.

Mr Farquhar, who was a committed Christian and a Cambridge University graduate, had taught English at Manchester Grammar School for 34-years before moving to Stowe School in Buckinghamshire.

He later took up a part-time role as English lecturer at the University of Buckingham, where colleagues described him as "charming, erudite and deeply thoughtful".

As well as his teaching career, Mr Farquhar also published three novels.

Mrs Moore-Martin was found dead at her home just yards from Mr Farquhar's house in May last year.

She had lived at the neat detached property for more than 20-years.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the causes of death had not yet been determined.

The spokesman added that four properties are being searched as part of the investigation, including one in Milton Keynes, two in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and an address near Redruth in Cornwall.

In a statement Thames Valley Police said: "A 27-year-old man from Towcester has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of suspicion of fraud by false representation, one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of burglary.

"A 31-year-old man from Redruth has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of suspicion of fraud by false representation, one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of burglary.

"A 22-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been arrested on suspicion of one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count of conspiring to commit fraud by false representation and one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation."

It is understood that one line of inquiry is that the suspects were familiar with the area of Maids Moreton and may have known the victims.