Sacked police chief kills wife, daughter, self

A senior police officer in Britain killed his wife and six-year-old girl in a frenzied attack on his family days after being sacked.

Tobias Day, 37, left his two other children with serious injuries before killing himself, detectives believe.

The horror attack at his semi-detached home is believed to have been fuelled by his dismissal by Leicestershire Police last Thursday for misusing force computer systems.

Neighbours and colleagues spoke of their shock over the “respected” former inspector as police confirmed he was fired for “matters concerning honesty and integrity”.

Day killed his teacher wife Samantha and his youngest daughter Genevieve, and attacked Kimberley, 15, and Adam, 13, before taking his own life yesterday.

A post-mortem examination is expected to clarify later today whether the victims were stabbed.

The two surviving children are in serious but stable conditions at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Residents on the Days’ quiet residential street in Melton Mowbray were said to have heard screams coming from their home.

As officers said they were not looking for anyone else over the attacks, well-wishers laid flowers and balloons near the family home,.

Police were alerted to the attack at around 4.23pm yesterday over reports the eldest daughter, Kimberley, had been injured.

She was taken to hospital as officers forced their way into the family’s house to find the four remaining family members.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is assessing the circumstances of his sacking before a decision is made over a formal external investigation.

The police watchdog is not understood to have been told of any complaints to police surrounding the family’s welfare after Day’s sacking.

Ivan Stafford, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, spoke of his shock, saying Day had been “a very capable and respected inspector”.

“It’s absolutely tragic what has happened,” he said. “It’s been a real shock to the country and to Melton.

“It has had a huge impact on the force and it is important we have time to get to grips with what’s happened.

“We are more concerned for the two remaining children. Our thoughts are with the family.”