A woman who was knifed to death in a crashed Lexus near her home had moved into the £2.5million mansion after ‘splitting from her husband’ and ‘kept herself to herself’, neighbours have revealed.
Just minutes after the woman’s death, a teenager was killed by a train at a nearby station in what police are describing as a ‘linked’ tragedy.
The woman’s property, a seven-bedroom detached house situated on Flowers Hill in the quiet rural village of Pangbourne, Berkshire, is being searched as a part of a murder probe.
Neighbours in the area – known locally as ‘millionaires’ row’ – have revealed their shock at what happened, with one describing the scene as police gathered at the scene as ‘like a horror movie’.
On Friday, there was a palpable sense of astonishment and grief among the nearby residents, who described the 56-year-old victim as a ‘lovely’ woman who ‘kept herself to herself.’
The property, a seven-bedroom detached house situated on Flowers Hill in the quiet rural village of Pangbourne, Berkshire, was searched by police
At around 11.30am today, forensic specialists were seen to recover a black-handled kitchen knife near Pangbourne station
Police officers at Pangbourne station after a young man died at a railway track in the Berkshire town
One neighbour, who lives on Flowers Hill and who asked not to be named, said of the woman: ‘She had been living there a for a few years. She split up from her husband and has a big house.’
He added: ‘Last night there was a lot of kerfuffle down there. I took the dogs out for a walk and couldn’t get through. What has happened is terrible.’
Peter Burton, another local resident to Flowers Hill, said: ‘We didn’t see or hear anything until we heard the helicopters above.’
An elderly woman who asked not to be named, said: ‘I find it astonishing.’ Another neighbour said the woman lived at the mansion with her adult children.
One was reported as saying: ‘It’s horrible, I can’t believe what happened. We rushed out to help but the police were already here and then ambulances arrived.
‘We were told to go home and they cordoned it all off.’
Another resident said: ‘I’d always wave over when I walked past, she is a lovely woman.
‘When we saw all the police last night it was like a horror movie scene… they were running around all over the place.
‘And then we heard another person had died at the train station. It’s shocking for our little quiet village. So unusual.’
Officers were first called to a reported road traffic collision involving a car on the A340 Tidmarsh Road at the junction with Flower’s Hill at around 5.45pm on Thursday.
Within the vehicle a 56-year-old woman had suffered a fatal stab wound and died at the scene despite receiving medical attention.
Shortly after, at around 6.15pm, Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police officers were called to a death on the railway track near Pangbourne – where an 18-year-old man died at the scene.
Neither victim has been formally identified but the next of kin for both have been informed and specially trained officers are supporting them.
Local residents said they had rushed to help the woman in the car but she died at the scene at the junction of Tidmarsh Road and Flowers Hill.
Police are investigating the deaths of two people in the village of Pangbourne, Berkshire
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, Head of the Major Crime Unit, said: ‘We have launched a murder investigation after the death of a woman near Flower’s Hill, Pangbourne, and the associated discovery of a deceased man at Pangbourne railway station.’
Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents.
Mr Brown added: ‘Firstly, I would like to send my condolences on behalf of the force to loved ones of both at this extremely difficult time.
‘We are in the very early stages of this complex investigation, but we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with either death.
‘We are still investigating but are treating the two deaths as linked; we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of each. There is no wider threat to the public from these sad and tragic incidents.’
Villagers in Pangbourne have been left in shock by tragic events that began yesterday.
Forensic investigators also recovered a black-handled kitchen knife close to the train station at Pangbourne as part of the ongoing probe into the two deaths.
Officers were first called to a reported road traffic collision involving a car on the A340 Tidmarsh Road at the junction with Flower’s Hill at around 5.45pm on Thursday
A crime scene investigator in a white suit entered a substation, opposite the Aston Martin dealership on Station Road, at around 11.30am today to photograph, swab and collect the blade.
The electricity company were also in attendance, and are thought to have turned off the power to allow police safe access. The area was cordoned off and watched over by two officers.
The knife was then placed into a knife tube and an evidence bag.
Officers, thought to be part of a specialist search team, attended the location after leaving the Flowers Hill property a short time prior.
One onlooker near the station said on Friday: ‘There was a police presence here overnight after the sad incident on the railway. Now they’ve taped it off and are taking photos of a knife in the substation.
‘Trains aren’t stopping at Pangbourne today so I’m guessing this is why. It’s very worrying if it’s linked to that poor woman’s death.’
A crime scene investigator wearing a white suit entered a substation, opposite the Aston Martin dealership on Station Road, to photograph, swab and collect the blade
Forensics were seen to recover a black-handled kitchen knife near Pangbourne station
Police said: ‘After initial significant disturbance to the roads and railway network both scenes have been released and normal transport arrangements for both have resumed. I would like to say thank you to those affected for your patience.
‘Members of the public are likely to see an increased police presence while we continue to investigate and we would advise anyone with any concerns to please speak to one of our uniformed officers.’
A British Transport Police spokesman previously said: ‘Officers were called to the line near Pangbourne railway station at 6.11pm yesterday (4 January) to reports of a casualty on the tracks.
‘Paramedics also attended and a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘British Transport Police are working closely with Thames Valley Police to establish the circumstances leading up to their death.’
Officers are guarding a £2.5million home in Flowers Hill following the fatal incident, and specialist search officers were at the scene.
A police cordon is also still in place at the railway station. Thames Valley Police last night confirmed that they were dealing with two incidents in the area.
A spokesman previously said: ‘Our officers are currently in Pangbourne dealing with two incidents.
The property being searched is a seven-bedroom freehold detached house spread over 5,748 square feet
‘Road closures are in place on the A340 at the Flowers Hill and Tidmarsh Road junction following a collision involving a vehicle.
‘A woman received medical treatment at the scene but sadly died.
‘There has also been an incident on the railway line at Pangbourne Station.
‘Because of these incidents, there are a number of road closures in place in the area, and trains are not running through the station.
‘People are advised to avoid the area and to plan their journeys in advance to ensure they are not delayed.
‘The exact circumstances of these incidents is currently unclear, but we will provide an update when we are in a position to do so.’
The property being searched is a seven-bedroom freehold detached house spread over 5,748 square feet. It was bought by current owners in 2014 for £1.95m and is now valued at more than £2.5m.
The police urged anyone with information about the deaths to call 101 or make a report on their website quoting reference number 43240005369.