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Tributes to couple found stabbed to death outside village home on New Year's Day

Joe Gamp
·Contributor, Yahoo News UK
(L-R) Martin Griffiths & Helen Hancock. A woman and man who died following an incident in Duffield have been formally identified. See SWNS story SWMDmurder. Helen Hancock (nee Almey), 39, from Duffield, and Martin Griffiths, 48, from Derby, were found at a property in New Zealand Lane, Duffield, following an incident in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Mrs Hancock and Mr Griffiths were found by officers with fatal stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. Officers have remained at the address today (2 January) - with searches and door-to-door enquiries taking place. A 39-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder remains in police custody. Officers have remained at the address today (2 January) - with searches and door-to-door enquiries taking place.
Helen Hancock (nee Almey), 39, from Duffield, and Martin Griffiths, 48, from Derby, were found at a property in New Zealand Lane, Duffield, on January 2 (SWNS)

Tributes have been made to a couple who were found stabbed to death outside a property on New Year's Day.

Emergency services were called after Helen Hancock, 39, and Martin Griffiths, 48, were discovered with fatal stab wounds in the early hours of Wednesday in Duffield, Derbyshire.

Paramedics arrived shortly after police were called at 4am but could do nothing to save the pair and they were pronounced dead at the scene

Derbyshire Police said it had referred itself to the police watchdog over previous contact with Mrs Hancock.

Police continue to investigate at the scene of the double murder on New Zealand Lane, in Duffield, Derbys. Thursday 2 January 2020. See SWNS story SWMDmurder. A man has been arrested on suspicion of a double murder after two people were found dead at a property on a quiet village road in the early hours of New Year's Day. Police were called to a house on New Zealand Lane, in Duffield, Derbys., at 4.11am and found a man and a woman fatally injured inside. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of two counts of murder and remains in custody. Police and forensic specialist teams have set up a blue tent and are still investigating at the four-bedroom detached property, which sold in June 2014 for £295,000.
Police and forensic specialist teams have set up a blue tent and are still investigating at the four-bedroom detached property (SWNS)
Police forensic officers at the property where a tent has been erected and a car taken away, New Zealand Lane, Duffield. January 1, 2020. See SWNS story SWMDpolice. A man has been arrested on suspicion of a double murder after two people were found dead at a property on a quiet village road in the early hours of New Year's Day. Police were called to a house on New Zealand Lane, in Duffield, Derbys., at 4.11am and found a man and a woman fatally injured inside. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of two counts of murder and remains in custody this morning (Wed). A section of the street is closed while a small area of shops is also cordoned off and officers are expected to remain at the scene all day. Forensic specialist teams have set up a blue tent and could be seen investigating a four-bedroom detached property, which sold in June 2014 for £295,000. One resident said they heard “screaming and shouting” at around 3am and someone yelling: "They're dead! What have you f**king done?"
A man has been arrested on suspicion of a double murder after two people were found dead at a property on a quiet village road in the early hours of New Year's Day (SWNS)

Police said a 39-year-old man - the woman’s estranged husband Rhys Hancock - was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and he remains in police custody.

PE teacher Helen, who had reverted to her maiden name Almey, had previously shared the £400,000 property with Hancock, a headteacher.

Hancock, of Portland Street, Etwall, Derbyshire, is due to appear before magistrates on Friday.

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Helen's family said in a statement: “The family are devastated at the loss of Helen who was a lovely, beautiful, friendly, bubbly and social person. We would like to thank people for allowing us privacy at this most difficult of times.”

Distraught family members of Martin, who lived in Derby, added: “Martin was a lovely dad, husband, son, brother and uncle, who had a passion for adventure, running and a love of animals. He enjoyed travelling the world, mountain climbing and spending time with his two children.

Police forensic officers at the scene where a tent has been erected outside a property in New Zealand Lane, Duffield. January 1, 2020. See SWNS story SWMDpolice. Police are dealing with a serious incident in a Derbyshire village this morning. Officers were called to a house in New Zealand Lane, Duffield, shortly after 4am and have since set up a cordon in the surrounding area. A spokesperson for Derbyshire police said: "Officers remain at a house in Duffield this morning following a serious incident.”
Police forensic officers at the scene where a tent has been erected outside the scene on New Zealand Lane, Duffield (SWNS)

"He will be greatly missed. We would also like to ask that people respect our privacy and allow us space to grieve as we attempt to come to terms with his death.”

The couple's children - aged nine, seven and four - were not believed to have been in the house at the time of the attack.

Derbyshire Constabulary officers and forensic teams remained at the scene on Thursday as they conducted door-to-door enquiries.

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