A teenage boy was today being questioned on suspicion of murdering an esteemed doctor at the home he shared with his fellow academic wife.
University lecturer Dr Barry Hounsome, 54, was found dead at the £200,000 home where he lived with economist wife Natalia.
The 16-year-old suspect, from Gosport, Hants, was arrested after police were called to the couple’s home in Gosport on Monday night.
The property remained taped off this morning as detectives investigate Dr Hounsome’s death.
Photographs at the scene reveal the home’s back window has been smashed, while a car in the front drive was removed from the scene by officers.
University lecturer Dr Barry Hounsome (left) was found dead at the £200,000 home where he lived with economist wife Natalia (right)
Photographs at the scene reveal how a French window at the back of the house had been smashed in the incident
Neighbour and friend of the couple, Walter Knight, today said he has been left devastated by Dr Hounsome’s death.
Retired Mr Knight said the ‘very intelligent’ couple have a teenage son who studies at college.
Mr Knight said: ‘It’s such a shame what’s happened, the husband and wife were very lovely people.
‘She was from somewhere in Germany, but I’m not completely sure. They were very nice people, they even got me a Christmas card every year.
‘I didn’t know what they did for a living but they were very friendly, they kept themselves to themselves.
‘They were very quiet, but when you did speak to them you could tell they were very intelligent people.
‘They had a son, I’m not sure how old he is but I think he is at college – I never really see him.’
A car in the front drive of the home in Gosport, Hampshire, was removed from the scene by officers today
The property remained taped off this morning as detectives investigate Dr Hounsome’s death
The medical professional previously worked at the University of Southampton, a Russell Group university.
Dr Hounsome, who has also worked at Bangor University, Wales, lectured in health science and has conducted studies into diseases including Parkinson’s and dementia.
His wife, who neighbours in the quiet road said is German, is a lecturer in health economics who has worked at several universities in the UK.
Another neighbour in his 50s, who didn’t wish to be named, said he is ‘heartbroken’ after losing his ‘friend’ Dr Hounsome.
He said: ‘It’s heartbreaking you know, he wasn’t just a neighbour, he was a friend – him and his wife.
‘They were such lovely and kind people who could never hurt a soul, I just don’t know how something like this could happen. I’m truly devastated by it all.
‘Natalia is not from the UK and all of her family are abroad, I feel so bad for her. To lose a husband is such a tragic thing to have happened.’
The 16-year-old suspect, from Gosport, Hants, was arrested after police were called to the couple’s home in Gosport on Monday night
The University of Southampton confirmed Dr Hounsome was last employed in 2014.
It is understood he carried out work at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Southampton General Hospital, Hants, during his time at the university.
A spokesman from the university added: ‘As this is a matter of ongoing police investigation, the university is unable to comment at this stage.’
A spokeswoman from Bangor University said though Dr Hounsome ‘contributed’ to studies at the university with fellow medical professionals.
Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman Nikki Holt said: ‘We’re investigating the death of a man in Gosport.
‘Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Formal identification procedures are ongoing.
‘A 16-year-old boy, from Gosport, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.
‘There will be a lot of police activity in the area as our investigations into the exact circumstances of the death continue.’
A retired neighbour said the ‘very intelligent’ couple have a teenage son who studies at college
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