An elderly couple found dead at their Cardiff home in a suspected murder-suicide have been described as ‘just wonderful people’ by their grieving daughter.
Former rugby referee Steve Jefferies and wife Christine’s bodies were discovered after three ‘loud bangs’, believed to be gunshots, were heard at the property.
Neighbours contacted the couple’s daughter after growing concerned about not seeing them, who arrived to find both them and their pet cocker spaniel dead from ‘serious wounds’ on Saturday.
A neighbour, who was not named and said they knew the couple well, told MailOnline the police aren’t looking for anyone else and said they believe the deaths were a ‘mercy-killing’.
‘Apparently one of the neighbours heard three loud bangs coming from the house.
‘Everyone’s in shock, they were a lovely couple, completely devoted to each other.
‘What’s upset people as much as anything else is that their cocker spaniel was killed as well.’
The couple, both aged about 70, had two adult children, a son and a daughter, according to neighbours.
Mr Jefferies was a retired council worker and a former referee and assessor with the Welsh Rugby Union.
His wife used a wheelchair and was believed to be in declining health, although grow vegetables and dig up weeds on an allotment near to their house.
The pairs’ next door neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the Sun: ‘They were just wonderful people.
‘He was a referee years ago. I had known them for 38 years. They were good neighbours and really good friends.
‘We got on really well. They were really good when my wife died 18 months ago.
‘He was neighbourhood watch, and used to litter pick in the street
‘We knew something was wrong because we all look out for each other in this little block here.
‘We noticed something was strange that the curtains hadn’t been opened and that was it.
‘We managed to get hold of their daughter and she came and went in.’
Three bouquets of flowers with notes of condolence have been laid outside couple’s home, while unformed officers guard the property.
Another local, who asked not to be named, said the couple were ‘nice’ and ‘quiet.’
The husband, who had been injured playing rugby in his 20s, was a referee and an official assessor checking other referees, the neighbour said.
They continued: ‘He was very well thought of in the game and only retired about five years ago. He worked for the council as a welder repairing bus shelters across
‘My son was in the street when the emergency services arrived on Saturday afternoon, he said there were police everywhere but they got stood down when they realised the situation.’
South Wales Police told Metro.co.uk it is continuing to investigate the ‘sudden deaths of two people at a property in Trowbridge, Cardiff.’
A rifle has been recovered from the property, the force said.
In a statement, they added: ‘Next of kin are being supported and enquiries are on-going to establish the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
‘Formal identification and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.’
It thanked the local community ‘for its patience and understanding while cordons remain in place.’ (Metro)