A quiet suburb on the outskirts of Norwich has been left shocked after four people from the same family, including two girls, were found dead at a house.
Police discovered four bodies after being called to Allan Bedford Crescent at Queen’s Hill in Costessey shortly before 7am on Friday.
A call from a concerned member of the public saw officers force entry into the two-storey semi-detached house where they discovered a 45-year-old man, a woman, 36, and two young children, both girls, dead inside.
Police said all four people had injuries.
READ MORE: Two children dead at Costessey home, police confirm
The four are believed to be known to one another and enquiries are under way to formally identify them, police said.
The man has been named locally as Bartlomiaj Kuczynski, a structural engineer, with the two girls believed to be his children and the woman the sister of his wife.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess, who is leading the investigation, said: “The man and two children lived at the address, but the woman involved was visiting and didn’t live at the property. Next of kin have been informed and we are supporting them.”
He said the two girls were of young school age and confirmed that all four were members of the same family.
Police also confirmed officers previously attended the property on December 14 in relation to a missing person inquiry. Neighbours said Mr Kuczynski had gone missing but was later found.
DCI Burgess added: “A considerable amount of inquiries are going on at the moment. Forensic teams at the location are doing as best they can to establish what has occurred.
READ MORE: Community in 'terrible' shock after four bodies found in city estate
The tragic discovery has shocked neighbours in Queen's Hills, a quiet estate near the Longwater Retail Park.
Julia Atienza, 16, who lives on the same road, said she would regularly see Mr Kuczynski's daughters when walking to the bus stop in the mornings.
She said: "I see the older daughter laughing with her friends on her way to the bus stop when she goes to school.
"The daughters were really shy and happy with their friends when I saw them with people laughing.
"We are shocked and can’t quite believe it, it is so sad."
One local, a man in his 40s, said: "We only live four doors away, we didn't know the family but our thoughts are with those who know and love them because this is just horrendous.
"You don't know how to react to such news."
Another neighbour near the scene said: "It’s very sad. Police were knocking and asking if anyone heard anything between 5am and 8am.
"Nothing like this happens around here, it's a very quiet neighbourhood."
Gary Blundell, a Lib Dem councillor who represents New Costessey at South Norfolk Council, said: "It’s shocking – it just proves these sorts of things can happen anywhere.
"My heart goes out to anybody involved in this.
"Residents in Queen's Hill are stunned – we will need to get anyone affected the support they need.
"I've had so many people contacting me to ask what’s going on – I want to make people aware there’s no danger to the public."
St Edmund’s Church in Old Costessey has announced that “in the light of the devastating news” its doors will be open from 3pm-4pm on Saturday (January 20) for quiet prayer and the opportunity to light a candle or talk.
Police said that officers will remain on scene for a "considerable time" with Allan Bedford Crescent still closed on Friday night.
Formal identification of the bodies has not yet taken place.
Police have appealed for information from anyone who may have been in the Allan Bedford Crescent area on the morning of Friday (January 19) and who may have seen or heard anything that could assist the enquiries.
People are asked to get in touch quoting crime reference NC-19012024-39 by calling 101 or via norfolk.police.uk/tell-us
Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
Reporting team Bruno Brown, Eleanor Storey, Adam Barker, William Warnes, Francis Redwood
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