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Double murder arrest after man and woman found dead at Oldbury house

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of a married couple were found in a house.

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A blue tent was erected outside the house by mid-morning as investigations continue. Image: @SnapperSK

The victims were found in Moat Road, Oldbury, by police in the early hours today.

A cordon remains in place around a home between Langley Green and Bristnall Fields near to Q3 Academy Langley.

A double murder investigation was launched in the early hours today. Image: @SnapperSK

Officers forced their way into the home at around 4am following concerns for the welfare of people living there.

They found the bodies of a 54-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, pronounced dead at the scene.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at an address in Smethwick on suspicion of two murders.

He remains in custody at this time.

He is known to the couple, and the tragedy is being treated as a domestic incident with no threat to the wider community, West Midlands Police said.

Police patrol outside the house in Moat Road, Oldbury, after the murder probe gets under way. Image: @SnapperSK

The victims had suffered serious injuries, and a post-mortem will be held in due course to formally identify them and establish the cause of death, police said.

A statement from the police said: "Our initial investigations have lead us to believe that this is a domestic-related incident, with no threat to the wider community.

"The victims’ family is being support at this tragic time."

Forensic teams have visited the semi-detached house as part of the investigation.

A blue tent was erected outside the house by mid-morning as enquiries continued.

Officers are now trying to trace the couple's distinctive yellow Toyota Aygo, registration SD17KKY, which has disappeared from the address on Moat Road.

The yellow Toyota Aygo

Det Insp Hannah Whitehouse, leading the investigation, said: “We understand the shock that this has caused in the local community and beyond, and we are working hard to identify and support the relatives of the two people who have lost their lives.

“Our investigation has already made good progress, but I really need the public’s help in tracing the couple’s car.

A side view of the car

“If anyone has seen it being driven, or been offered it for sale, or has seen it abandoned somewhere, we need to know as soon as possible.”

A police cordon in place outside the house in Moat Road, Oldbury. Image: @SnapperSK

Neighbours said a family lived at the house as they spoke of their shock at the murder investigation being launched on their doorstep.

Sylvia Unitt, of Westmead Road, said: “It is a lovely quiet road, people bring children to the schools and nurseries, dog walkers in the park nearby.

“I did not know them personally but a neighbour said they were lovely people. He was a really nice man apparently.

A smashed glass panel outside the front door of the house in Oldbury. Image: @SnapperSK

“It is a lovely, friendly area. I have lived here all my life. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

“It is a complete shock. It’s terrible. Everyone is really shocked.”

Fellow resident Robert Lole said: “It’s a lovely area, it is such a shame.”

Forensic teams joined officers at the scene in Oldbury. Image: @SnapperSK

Another added: “My neighbour rang me, I did not know about it. It’s normally very quiet round here. I knew the family from seeing them around but that’s it."

The deaths mark the second double murder investigation to be launched in the Black Country in recent days.

Two men were killed in a crossbow attack in Brierley Hill last week.

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or via 101."

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