Police family killings officers met by 'horrific' scene

Police have described the "horrific" scene met by officers who found the body of a dead colleague and three members of his family.

Pc Karl Bluestone, 36, was found dead at his home in Gravesend along with his wife Jill, 31, and children Henry, three and Chandler, 18 months.

Their two other children Jack, eight, and Jessica, seven, are in hospital. Jack is said to be in a critical condition while Jessica escaped with minor injuries. A gun was not used in the deaths but police believe a weapon or instrument of some sort was involved.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the scene just before 10pm last night by neighbours in the adjoining semi-detached house.

She said: "The seven-year-old girl had knocked on their door in a very distressed state and they took her in and called the police. Our officers came round expecting to find a domestic. They were obviously not expecting what they found.

"They were faced with a horrific scene. The victims were in different rooms in the house."

Police struggled to contact the officer's parents who have been away on a holiday in the south of France, but have now told them the news. Mrs Bluestone's parents, have also been informed. Neighbours said they have heard Mr and Mrs Bluestone arguing in the past.

Father-of-three Lee Watts, who lives opposite the family, said: "It is a shock to hear this had happened, especially with children involved.

"The first we knew was when we saw flashing lights of police cars at 10pm last night. All of a sudden it was pandemonium with cars arriving and tape going up across the road."