Murder inquiry begins after man and woman found dead in Staffordshire

Police have launched a murder investigation after the bodies of a man and a woman were found in a house in Staffordshire.

Officers were called at about 12.30pm on Tuesday after paramedics had attended the address in Cannock.

Two people were found dead inside the property in Alpine Drive in Hednesford.

Staffordshire police said formal identification is due to take place but that they believe the victims’ identities to be Lauren Evans, 22, from Bridgend, south Wales, and Daniel Duffield, 24, from Cannock.

The force added it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent police contact and that a team of specially trained officers were continuing to support the families involved.

A number of officers were in the area on Wednesday carrying out inquiries.

Det Supt Nicki Addison, from the force’s major investigations department, said: “My thoughts are very much with the families at this time.

“I know this news has understandably shaken the local community. I’d like to reassure everyone that we’ve got a specialist team of officers working extensive hours to fully investigate what happened and support the families of those affected.

“We completely understand that lots of people want to know more about what happened, but we’d like to reiterate that speculation isn’t helpful to families at this distressing time.

“I would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with information and ask that people continue to get in touch if they’ve got any information that can help us.”