Police were last night hunting a man whose mother and sister were found dead at two separate properties in an alleged double murder.
Bernadette Fox, 57, was discovered in her sheltered accommodation in Bootle, Merseyside, at 4am on Friday.
The body of her 27-year-old daughter, Sarah Fox, was found at a house nearby at around 9.15pm on Thursday.
Detectives are hunting Peter Fox, 26, the son and brother of the victims, and want to speak with him in connection with the double murder.
The family released a statement last night saying they are “absolutely devastated” at their loss.
It came hours after Merseyside Police issued a photograph of Fox and warned people not to approach him.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Rooney said: “We are currently trying to trace Peter Fox, the son of Bernadette, as he may have information which could assist with our investigation.
“I would ask the public to help us find Peter as we need to speak to him urgently in relation to the two murders.”
He added: “The investigation into these deaths is at an early stage and, although the motive is unclear at this time, we believe the offender may be known to the victims.”
Fox is described as white, between 5ft 2in and 5ft 5in and of slight build with short, dark hair no longer shaved and brown eyes. He speaks with a Scouse accent.
Police said causes of death for the two women have yet to be established, and that post-mortem examinations are continuing.
Both properties remained sealed off while forensic investigators carried out searches, and detectives are also looking for CCTV footage.
The force was called to Sarah Fox’s home after a member of the public became concerned.
Neighbours told yesterday how the horror unfolded.
One revealed: “I saw one of my neighbours in the street who said he was worried after he noticed the dog from the flat roaming the streets.
“He had seen it a few times so he knocked on the door but got no answer.
“He called to the house last night and noticed there was a downstairs window open and the back door was ajar.
“He alerted the police at around nine o’clock, and got a call at 2am this morning from the police saying they needed to speak to him.
“It’s so shocking. I’ve spoken to the girl from those flats two or three times, she seemed a nice girl.
“It’s not exactly a leafy suburb but this sort of thing is such a shock.”
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