A confidential coroner's report has raised the possibility that a serial killer may have been responsible for the deaths of two elderly couples in Cheshire.
In 1996 Howard and Bea Ainsworth died in an apparent murder suicide in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Three years later there was another murder suicide in Wilmslow involving Donald and Auriel Ward.
In both cases, the couples were found lying in their bloodstained bed in their pyjamas - and both cases involved disturbing levels of violence.
A 179 page report into five murder suicides has been compiled by Stephanie Davies, chief coroner's officer for Cheshire Police.
The Sunday Times reports that serious questions have been raised about the Cheshire deaths - and whether a serial killer could have in fact been responsible.
The report also identifies a further three murder-suicide cases — in 2000, 2008 and 2011 — that Davies believes should be reviewed to see whether they are linked to the Wilmslow killings.
Two of the cases were in Greater Manchester and the third was in the Lake District. In the report Davies makes clear that she cannot be sure these three murder suicides are linked until their police files have been reviewed.
The report has prompted Cheshire Police to launch a review.
The Cheshire force has alerted the Greater Manchester and Cumbria forces.
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The report, seen by the Sunday Times, calls on the National Crime Agency and Interpol to carry out an urgent review of cases across Britain and Europe to determine whether there are any more related murders.
A spokesperson for Cheshire police said: "We are in receipt of the report and it is being reviewed. This is a piece of research which has been undertaken by the staff member, independently.
"As with any case that has been closed, where new information comes to light it is reviewed and acted upon if appropriate. We have notified Greater Manchester police and Cumbria constabulary."
