An 86-year-old woman was killed in a “horrific” attack that left her 88-year-old husband with life-threatening injuries, police have said.
Freda and Ken Walker were attacked in their home in a Derbyshire village on Saturday morning.
Police confirmed on Sunday that emergency services had been called to the couple’s home when neighbours raised the alarm at about 9.30am.
While detectives have not confirmed the nature of the incident, they are understood to be looking for suspects who managed to get inside the Walkers’ semi-detached home in the village of Langwith Junction.
Ch Supt Hayley Barnett, of Derbyshire police, said on Sunday: “This couple were well-known here to this community and I know that many people who know them will be shocked by this horrific incident.”
Neighbours paid tribute to the “lovely couple” who were said to be devoted to each other and popular in the local community.
Ken Walker, who remained in critical condition in hospital on Sunday, is understood to have been a local councillor and a school governor until relatively recently.
Jonathan Hilliar, who lives locally, told the BBC: “Every time I went past they would say hello. They were such a sweet old couple. I just don’t get it, I really don’t.”
Barnett urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police urgently. She added: “Whilst I can’t talk about the mechanics or how people came to be in the address, what I do urge people to do is keep good security to their homes.
“Keep their doors and windows locked, don’t let any strangers in, don’t keep any valuables on display and have a means of making contact with emergency services.”
