Police probe suspected murder-suicide in Dorset

Police probe ‘murder-suicide’ as armed officers find dead woman, in her 50s, in flat in Dorset before discovering body of man in house seven miles away

  • Detectives believe woman killed at house in Weymouth by a man who then fled
  • Investigations led officers to another house in Portland, some 20 minutes away
  • Armed police seen raiding the property before finding the man’s body inside  

The murder and suspected suicide of a woman and man whose bodies were found in nearby Dorset towns are believed to be linked, police said today. 

Detectives believe that the woman was deliberately killed at her house in Weymouth by a man who then fled the scene. 

Investigations led officers to another house in Portland, some 20 minutes away by car, where they found the body of a man, who liked the woman was in his 50s. 

Neighbours today described seeing armed police smashing down the door of the Portland property yesterday evening before finding the body inside. 

Police say both victims were known to each other but it is not yet clear if they were a couple. It is understood the man’s death is being treated as suicide. 

Detectives believe that the woman was deliberately killed at her house in Weymouth by a man who then fled the scene (pictured taken today)

Investigations led officers to a house in Portland, some 20 minutes away by car, where they found the body of a man, aged in his 50s (pictured is the scene yesterday)

Investigations led officers to a house in Portland, some 20 minutes away by car, where they found the body of a man, aged in his 50s (pictured is the scene yesterday) 

Shocked neighbours in Portland today described the dramatic moment armed police smashed down the door to find the man inside at around 6.30pm. 

Residents on the sleepy seaside street say the man inside moved in less than a year ago and that the house has seen multiple occupants come and go in recent times.

Nobody has been able to confirm his name, but he has been described as ‘keeping himself to himself’.

One neighbour, aged in his 80s, said: ‘The police shooters turned up with big black guns at around 6:30.

‘They were joined by who I presume were inspectors in suits and they stood around outside talking for quite some time.

‘Then they smashed the door and window and we heard them shouting ”armed police”.’ 

The Isle of Portland is a tied island in the English Channel, some five miles south of Weymouth.

Neighbours today described seeing armed police smashing down the door of the Portland property before finding the body inside. Police are seen searching the house today

Neighbours today described seeing armed police smashing down the door of the Portland property before finding the body inside. Police are seen searching the house today

Dorset Police said: ‘We were called at 5.40pm on Thursday April 1 by the ambulance service to a report that a woman had been found injured at an address in Ranelagh Road in Weymouth.

‘Very sadly, the woman – aged in her 50s and from the local area – was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin has been informed.

‘The woman’s death is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

‘As part of our enquiries, at around 6.40pm on the same day officers attended an address in Grove Road on Portland and located the body of a man aged in his 50s.

‘The death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation is under way. His family has also been informed.’

Shocked neighbours in Portland today described the dramatic moment armed police smashed down the door to find the man inside at around 6.30pm last night. Pictured is an armed policeman at the scene yesterday

Shocked neighbours in Portland today described the dramatic moment armed police smashed down the door to find the man inside at around 6.30pm last night. Pictured is an armed policeman at the scene yesterday 

The Isle of Portland is a tied island in the English Channel, some five miles south of Weymouth.

A cordon has been erected at both addresses while police carry out enquiries.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of the major crime investigation team, said: ‘A detailed investigation is under way looking into the circumstances of both deaths, which are currently being treated as linked.

‘The families of both the woman and the man are being supported by specially-trained officers.

‘I would urge anyone who witnessed or heard anything suspicious in the area of either Ranelagh Road or Grove Road during the afternoon of Thursday April 1 2021 to please contact us.’