Kidnappers kill top US doctor's family

Kidnappers broke into a top US doctor’s home, kidnapped a female family member to withdraw money from a bank, then murdered his wife and their two daughters.

Dr William Petit, who was severely injured, told police in Connecticut, that his family had been held hostage for hours yesterday before one member, who was not identified, was taken to the bank with a suspect.

But bank staff were suspicious of the transaction and called police, who surrounded Petit’s home.

A town police officer saw two men leaving the home as it was engulfed in flames, authorities said. The men sped away in an estate car, smashing into several police vehicles before they were captured.

Petit’s wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their two daughters, Hayley aged 17, and Michaela aged 11, were found dead in the home, said a law enforcement official close to the investigation.

Authorities would not release the names of the suspects, who will appear in court today.

Petit, 50, a well-known diabetes specialist, is in a stable condition at St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. The extent of his injuries was not released.