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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sarah Vesty

First picture of pensioner couple found dead in Livingston home on Boxing Day as teen arrested

A married couple who were found dead in their Livingston home have been named locally as Denis and Mary Fell.

The pensioners, both aged 73, were discovered shortly before midnight on Boxing Day after the alarm was raised.

Officers reportedly forced entry to the property and made the grim discovery inside before throwing up a large cordon around the scene.

A major police presence remained in place on Monday as officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the couple’s death.

Police remain at the scene in Raeburn Rigg, Livingston (Alan Simpson)

Investigators have confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Forensic officers were spotted handling evidence bags outside the front door of the home with a blue tent erected around the front door.

Shocked neighbours have told the Daily Record how the ‘friendly’ couple had lived in the house for more than 20 years.

It is understood that Denis cared for wife Mary who was disabled with mobility issues.

One neighbour said: “I was sitting in the living room when I heard the cops putting the front door in. The couple who live there are both elderly and she’s disabled.

A forensic tent was erected over the front door of the property (Alan Simpson)

“They’ve been here for longer than I have and I think they have two children. He is always such a friendly man who’ll chat to you and he looks after his wife.

“It’s really quite shocking because this is a really quiet street. When I looked out the window after they kicked the door in, it looked like all the officers from West Lothian were outside.

“There’s still loads today which is really quite worrying.

“I spoke to one of the other neighbour’s who has spoken to the police. They wouldn’t tell him anything."

Another told how police had asked him for the footage from his CCTV cameras in a bid to capture any movement in the street before the tragic discovery.

A large cordon stretches around the couple's home and several neighbouring properties (Alan Simpson)

They said: “They were a lovely older couple who really kept themselves to themselves over the last couple of years.

“I’d seen him pushing her in a wheelchair a few times and they have a disabled parking spot right outside their house to make it easier for Mary to get out and about.

“It’s really tragic, especially at this time of year.”

A third added: “They’ve lived here a really long time and every one knows them. They’d always say hello if you were passing.

“I believe they have two grown up children and you’d see their son and his young kids popping in for a visit on occasion.

Police have confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been arrested (Alan Simpson)

“I came home at around 1.30am and the street was just filled with police. I knew something bad had happened but I’d never have imagined it was something like this.”

Uniformed officers continue to stand watch around the scene while CID officers carried out door to door enquiries.

Police Scotland have confirmed that enquiries remain at an early stage but confirmed that a teenager had been arrested.

A force spokesperson said: “Officers were made aware around 11.40pm on Sunday, 26 December, of a report of a sudden death in the Raeburn Rigg area of Livingston.

“A man and a woman were found dead inside a property.

“A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and are at an early stage.”

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