Names released in double murder

Detectives investigating a double murder in the Black Country have today named the elderly victims.

Officers were called to the house in Wolverhampton last night where they found the bodies of 80-year-old Guiseppe Massaro and his 77-year-old wife, Caterina.

The couple, who have two children and a number of grandchildren, were originally from Italy and have lived here since 1960.

Police could not say today how the couple had died at the house in Woden Road, Heath Town.

Their car, a black Peugeot 307, had been stolen and was found a few streets away in Tithe Croft.

Police today appealed for anyone who had seen the car over the last two days to come forward, saying it was "critical" to their investigation. The registration is PK56 VRW.

The car was described as having has two distinctive features – an orange fir tree air freshner and a sticker of the Virgin Mary on the left hand side of the windscreen.

Relatives of the couple have been told about the tragedy but their identities have not yet been released.

Neighbours were last night warned to stay in their homes by police, who were called after the bodies were discovered at 8pm.

Supt Mark Payne this afternoon urged the people of Wolverhampton to come forward if they have any information.

He said: "The community holds the key to this investigation. Anyone who saw anyone coming in or out of that house, whether they recognise them or not, should contact police.

"We have lots of very experienced police officers and detectives dealing with this.

"We will find the person or people and bring them to justice and make them account for their actions."

Supt Payne refused to be drawn on the exact details of the deaths but described it as a "particularly nasty incident."

Today, five houses along Woden Road, opposite an MOT station, were sealed off with police tape while officers continued their inquiries.

A police car was parked outside the couple's home, while a mobile police unit was set up opposite.

Forensic investigators, detectives and local police were today at the scene.

Daniel Haynes, aged 21, of Woden Road, said: "There must have been about 10 police cars here last night. There was a riot van, forensic van and a police sniffer dog van.

"Detectives were knocking on doors as well and later on a massive forensic van pulled up.

"I've only lived here for about a month. I didn't know the couple that lived there. It is tragic though. It doesn't surprise me because the area is quite rough."

A mother-of-two, who lives on Woden Road but asked not to be named, said today: "There was talk late last night that two people had died.

"I was just gobsmacked. The area has its problems but you don't expect this on your doorstep.

"It makes you want to get out of the place."

Parmjit Kandola, a mother of three aged 42, who also lives in Woden Road with husband Rup, 48, said: "It is very sad.

"We were home around 8pm and could see a lot of police activity at the bottom of the road.

"A police officer came to our door and told us something very serious had happened.

"She told us not to worry but said we should keep our doors and windows locked.

"I don't know the couple but have seen them when I have taken my kids to school."

Detectives will be reviewing CCTV footage and making house to house inquiries throughout the day and were expected to stay there most of the weekend. A coroner was at the house today to help with the inquiry.

Police have urged witnesses to contact Operation Stoke on 0345 1135 000.