Detectives hunting the killer of a pensioner and his daughter found murdered in a flat today said the pair were strangled to death and there had been an attempt to ‘dismember his body’.
Noel Brown, 69, and his 41-year-old daughter Marie were found dead by officers who forced entry into his flat in Deptford, south east London, on Monday morning.
Police say they had been contacted by a member of Marie’s family at 12.30am after Marie had failed to return to her home in nearby Southwark.
Officers attended Mr Brown’s home address at 2.45am and a post-mortem has shown the pair died from strangulation.
Marie Brown, 41, and her father Noel, 69, were discovered in the early hours on Monday at his house in Deptford, south east London
Police officers using a drain pump and a mechanical scoop are seen searching the storm drains in the area on Wednesday afternoon
Mr Brown (left) was a regular in a local bookmakers but officers said his recent big win was not related. His daughter (right) went to the home after getting concerned
According to the Evening Standard, Detective Superintendent Paul Monk, who is overseeing the investigation into their murders, said killers tried to conceal his death.
He added there an attempt was made to ‘dismember his body’ following the death.
.Scotland Yard said there were no signs of a forced entry, suggesting the suspects were known to Mr Brown and his daughter disturbed them.
Metropolitan Police detectives said they have found no evidence that Mr Brown was killed because of a recent large gambling win, although he had visited his local betting shop Paddy Power on the day he was last seen alive.
A neighbour saw Mr Brown at his home at around 8pm on Thursday November 30.
Days later at around midday on Saturday December 2, his daughter went to his flat out of concern for his welfare – she was not seen alive again.
After forensic searches of the area and gathering hours of CCTV, police have appealed for the public’s help and urged two men who visited Mr Brown’s flat in the days before he was found dead to come forward.
DS Monk added: ‘Today, I am asking for the public’s help as part of our investigation into the murder of Noel and his daughter Marie.
‘We know that Noel was last seen alive and well at his home by a neighbour at about 8pm on Thursday, November 30.
‘Marie, having grown increasingly anxious about her father’s wellbeing, went to visit him at about midday on Saturday December 2.
‘That is the last sighting of Marie alive. Our investigation is fast moving and making progress every day.
‘I want to reassure people that we are doing all we can to find those responsible for the murders of Noel and Marie.
‘I am asking the public to help us with any information they may have that could assist our investigation – specifically about two men who visited Noel’s flat in the days prior to his death.
‘If that was you, or you know who it was, please get in contact with us.
‘At this early stage we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive, however it was clear to the responding officers that there were no signs of forced entry to the property.
‘One of our key lines of enquiry is to establish if the suspects or suspects were known to Noel and if Marie disturbed them.’
Police discovered the nursery worker (pictured) and her father after receiving a tip-off from a concerned member of public
A police forensic officer searching wheelie bins at the scene as the area has been taped off
Flowers were left at the scene on New Butt Lane on Wednesday after news of the killings emerged
Officers are carrying out extensive local enquiries around Noel’s Deptford home, collecting hours of CCTV and carrying out full forensic searches of the areas in and around his flat.
Detective Superintendent Monk continued: ‘One of the key strands of our investigation is understanding all we can about Noel’s life.
‘He was well known and liked locally. We know that Noel used to go to his local betting shop, Paddy Power, in Deptford High Street and had in fact been there during the day he was last seen alive on November 30.
‘There has been speculation that his murder was as a result of a large gambling win, however at this time there is no evidence to suggest this was the case.
‘I am keen to hear from anyone who saw Noel in the days leading up to his death or saw anyone or anything unusual in or around New Butt Lane, Deptford, during that time.
‘This is a deeply distressing time for Noel and Marie’s family as they come to terms with their loss.’
Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting Noel and Marie’s family at this tragic time.
One family member who visited the scene on Wednesday afternoon, who did not want to be identified, said: ‘The whole family are distraught.
‘We just do not know what has happened.’ The flat was still sealed off by officers today.
Anyone with any information, no matter how small, is asked to contact the investigation team on 020 8721 4205, or 101.
You can also tweet police @MetCC.To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.