16 Jul 2012

Bodies of three children found in Shropshire

A murder investigation is underway after the bodies of three young siblings were discovered near Shrewsbury.

Officers found the bodies of Sam Fuller, aged 12 and sisters Becka, 10, and Charlotte, six, this morning in a wooded area in Pontesbury Hill, eight miles from the Shropshire town.

It is understood that they had all been stabbed.

Their father Ceri Fuller, 35, had vanished with the children last Thursday and Gloucestershire Police had issued a missing persons appeal on Friday.

It is understood Mr Fuller has also died after apparently falling from a cliff at a quarry in the area.

The dad left his home in Milkwall, near Coleford, last Thursday with his children and had been travelling in a red Landrover Freelander, registration number CK51 YUV.

The vehicle was later spotted in the Shrewsbury/Welshpool area.

A statement released by West Mercia Police said: “West Mercia Police are investigating the deaths of an adult and three children after the discovery of four bodies in the Pontesbury area of Shropshire this morning (Monday 16 July).

“The bodies were found in a wooded area by a police officer shortly before 10am today.

“The discovery follows an appeal by Gloucestershire Constabulary over the weekend to trace a missing man and his three children from the Forest of Dean area.

“The deputy coroner for Shropshire, Mr Andrew Barkley, has been informed and officers have sealed off the area. Forensic examinations of the area will take place in due course.

“Next of kin have been informed but we are not naming the deceased at this time. Formal ID has not yet taken place. Anyone with information for the inquiry should contact West Mercia Police by dialling 101.”