Post mortem reveals Walsall couple died from stab wounds

Hayley and David Stringer, were found with knife wounds at a house in Hollemeadow Avenue, Blakenall, Walsall. Their deaths are being treated as a murder-suicide, police said.

The bodies of Mr Stringer, aged 32, and 29-year-old Mrs Stringer were found at 3.50am on Saturday following an emergency call and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their three children, Chloe, 11, Chelsea, eight, and Lottie, seven, were sleeping in the terraced house when officers arrived and have been informed of the incident.

They were being cared for by friends and are now in the care of family members.

Det Insp Justin Spanner, from Force CID, said: "Hayley suffered multiple stab injuries and David died from a single stab wound. At this stage we strongly believe that this is a murder/suicide.

"While we are still to establish the exact circumstances of what happened on Saturday morning, we are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths."

Mrs Stringer's new partner, 19-year-old Matty Read, from Cannock, was understood to have discovered the bodies and called the emergency services.

Mr Read, who was at the house when officers arrived, is believed to be the 19-year-old initially arrested on suspicion of murder but released without charge on Sunday.

A weapon was recovered from inside the property

Mr Stringer worked for metal importing and distribution company Holme Dodsworth based in Walsall and colleagues paid tribute to him.

Mrs Stringer worked for Gestamp Automocion in Cannock, as does Mr Read.

Relatives and neighbours have paid tribute to the pair and floral tributes have been left outside the home in Hollemeadow Avenue.

Specialist family liaison officers are supporting the families of both of the deceased.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.