Knife recovered from Torquay house

A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found stabbed to death at a house in South Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the property in Shelley Avenue, Torquay, early yesterday where the 54-year-old woman's body was found upstairs.

Paramedics were called in but the woman, believed to be the wife of the man arrested, was declared dead at the scene.

Detectives released few details about the incident although it is understood that the woman, who has not been named, had been stabbed. It is believed a knife has been recovered from the house.

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The suspect, who was arrested at the house, is thought to have taken an overdose earlier.

He was admitted to Torbay Hospital where he was yesterday under police guard.

Scenes of crime officers were yesterday carrying out a forensic search of the property while detectives carried outhouse-to-house inquiries.

It is thought the fatal attack may have happened some time on Tuesday.

DCI Dave Thorne said: “There has been a thorough scene examination and search. House-to-house was carried out along with statement taking.

“A post mortem and other forensic enquiries will be carried out and interviewing of the suspect will commence today.”

Police said it is thought the man attempted to self-harm after the incident.

A neighbour of the dead woman said two people lived at the house. She added: "They've always kept themselves to themselves and don't have many visitors. Whenever we do see them they are always very polite and friendly. I don't think they work.

"When I woke up at about 6.30am I opened the curtains and saw a police car and two ambulances.

"Obviously I knew that something serious had happened because I saw the forensic people going in. It is quite a shock when something like this happens so close to you."