Two young boys and man found dead in Wiltshire flat

  • Published
Auchinleck House in Tidworth
Image caption,
The property on Sidbury Heights has been cordoned off while forensic tests continue

The bodies of two boys, aged three and 11, and their 36-year-old father have been discovered in a flat in Wiltshire.

The bodies were found at Auchinleck House in Tidworth on Saturday when the landlady visited the flat.

Detectives investigating the case said they were treating the children's deaths as suspicious, but were not looking for anyone else.

The children's mother has been informed. Officers said she was shocked and distressed.

BBC Points West reporter Scott Ellis at the scene said there had been a "child sharing arrangement" but the two boys had been living with their mother in Andover, Hampshire.

The body of the boys' father Graham Anderson is believed to have been discovered hanging in the flat when the landlady went there on Saturday.

Det Ch Insp Ian Saunders, who is leading the investigation, said: "The flat was set to become vacated, and as the landlady came to the property that is when she saw what she did."

Det Ch Insp Saunders said initial information revealed the last-known activity in the flat was on Thursday morning.

"As the investigation progresses, we will begin to find out exactly what happened in this very tragic case," he said.

"I am extremely keen for any sightings of Graham Anderson with the two children between Saturday August 25 and Saturday September 1.

"He was a regular bus user and I now need to trace his movements, and those of the boys during the week leading up to the discovery of their bodies at lunchtime yesterday," he said.

'Can't believe it'

A Great Western Ambulance Service spokesman said it received an emergency call just after 13:00 BST on Saturday.

Image caption,
Flowers and teddy bears have been laid outside the flats in Tidworth

"We received a call from a person in Tidworth who reported seeing a man, thought to be in his 30s, who appeared to be dead," he said.

"The person, who knew the property, said they knew that there were also two children who normally lived at that address and called 999."

The property on Sidbury Heights has been cordoned off while forensic tests continue.

Barbara Balman, a neighbour, said: "I walk past here every day and I can't believe it."

A post-mortem examination is being carried out on Mr Anderson's body. Tests on the boys' bodies are due to be conducted later.

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