Woman found stabbed to death in crashed car before teenager was killed by train
Searches at a £2.5 million mansion are underway after the ‘linked’ deaths of a woman who was stabbed and a teenager was hit by a train.
The village of Pangbourne, Berkshire was rocked by the two deaths within hours of each other on Thursday.
Police arrived at the scene of a car crash at 5.45pm yesterday to find a 56-year-old woman inside a Lexus with a stab wound. She died at the scene.
Not long after, at around 6.15pm, a casualty was reported on railway tracks near Pangbourne but an 18-year-old man died at the scene.
Neither victim has been formally identified, but the next of kin for both have been informed.
Police are linking the two deaths and have cordoned off a seven-bedroom detached mansion on Flowers Hill – known as ‘millionaire’s row’.
Specialist search officers and forensics investigators are carrying out searches at the mansion.
Searches have also taken place close to Pangbourne railway station, where a black-handled kitchen knife was found.
The property, which was bought by its current owners in 2014 for £1.95 million, is now thought to be worth more than £2.5 million.
Neighbours have spoken of their horror at the incidents that unfolded. They rushed to help the woman after the crash, but she died at the scene at the junction of Tidmarsh Road and Flowers Hill.
One said: ‘It’s horrible, I can’t believe what happened. We rushed out to help but the police were already here and then ambulances arrived.
‘We were told to go home and they cordoned it all off.’
Another neighbour said the woman who lives at the mansion with her adult children is ‘lovely’ and that she ‘keeps herself to herself’.
He said: ‘I’d always wave over when I walked past, she is a lovely woman. I hope nothing bad has happened to her.
‘When we saw all the police last night it was like a horror movie scene… they were running around all over the place.
‘And then we heard another person had died at the train station. It’s shocking for our little quiet village. So unusual.’
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown said: ‘We have launched a murder investigation after the death of a woman near Flower’s Hill, Pangbourne, and the associated discovery of a deceased man at Pangbourne railway station.
‘Firstly, I would like to send my condolences on behalf of the force to loved ones of both at this extremely difficult time.
‘We are in the very early stages of this complex investigation, but we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with either death.
‘We are still investigating but are treating the two deaths as linked; we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of each. There is no wider threat to the public from these sad and tragic incidents.
‘After initial significant disturbance to the roads and railway network both scenes have been released and normal transport arrangements for both have resumed. I would like to say thank you to those affected for your patience.
‘Members of the public are likely to see an increased police presence while we continue to investigate and we would advise anyone with any concerns to please speak to one of our uniformed officers.’
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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