Two Bailed After Walsall Couple Shot Dead

A man and woman arrested on suspicion of the murder of a couple shot dead in Walsall have been released on bail.

A 23-year-old man and a woman, 22, were arrested on Friday morning, within an hour of the emergency services discovering the bodies.

Police have confirmed the man on bail was related to one of the dead.

The murdered couple, named locally as mother-of-three Clare Sly and her partner Dereck Vassell, were shot at a house in Laneside Gardens.

Neighbours have paid tribute to the couple.

Carol Robinson, 67, who has lived in the area for 43 years, said Miss Sly worked at a local primary school.

She said: "I heard it was Clare and her partner who were killed. I can't believe it, she is gorgeous and a lovely mum.

"The two young boys are so well-behaved and polite. They are a lovely little family and quite quiet, they have never caused any trouble or anything. Clare was born here, her mum lives opposite. It was such a shock to us."

Ralph Hughes, 82, added: "They seem like a nice family, they have been here for about three years renting the house.

"The eldest boy and his girlfriend had been living with his gran on the other side, I believe. It's a shock, this is a quiet area."

Speaking to reporters at the scene of the killings in the Birchalls area of the town, Superintendent Keith Fraser said detectives were treating the shooting as an isolated incident.

He said: "I can confirm that the people arrested are connected to the victims, I can confirm that they are related to them."

Police officers and forensic experts have been searching the terraced house for clues.

Officers have also been seen at a second house opposite the murder scene, which neighbours said was the home of Miss Sly's elderly mother.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .