Tributes to woman who died with partner in 'domestic incident'

Neighbours and colleagues of a couple who were found dead in their home, leaving their two-year-old daughter an orphan, have spoken of their shock and sadness.

The man and the woman, who have been named locally as Anthony Roberts and Guida Rufino, were found with fatal injuries at a house in Idle, Bradford.

West Yorkshire Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Police said they were called to a “domestic incident” at the house on Sunday evening.

Officers found Ms Rufino with serious injuries to her neck and 37-year-old teaching assistant Mr Roberts with serious injuries to his leg.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and two knives were recovered from the property, police said.

The couple leave behind a two-year-old daughter, who was not believed to be at the house at the time.

Colleagues of 38-year-old Ms Rufino, who was a partner at Leeds Occupational Health, said she would be “sorely missed” and sent their condolences to her family.

In a statement, Dr Jacqueline Senior said: “She always wanted a child and gave birth to a beautiful daughter in December 2013 to whom she was devoted.

“She returned from maternity leave invigorated and inspired to grow our business and we both looked forward to an exciting 2016.”

Dr Paul Davies, also a partner at Leeds Occupational Health, added: “We are very disappointed and upset with the very unfortunate news that has happened over the weekend. We are all shell-shocked, she will be sorely missed.”

At the scene, the stone-built house remained cordoned off and police officers stood on guard at the front and rear entrances to the property.

Scenes of crime officers, wearing white suits and masks, could be seen entering and leaving the house.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she took a present to the couple after their daughter was born.

She said: “I feel very sad and obviously the baby has lost its parents, it will be brought up by different people so I can’t get it out of my head at the moment.

“I’m sad for the baby. I hope there’s a family who can bring her up because it’s not a good history to live with. So I’m very sorry about that.”

A woman, who lives across the road from the couple, said Ms Rufino made a “big effort” to get to know her family when they moved to the area.

She said: “We’d chat a bit. I spoke to her more than him, I didn’t see him as much really. She was really friendly.

“She seemed so nice but he never really seemed to make any effort with us or say hello in the street. He always picked their daughter up from the nursery but she just seemed to make more of an effort to talk to you.”

Neighbour Chris Hirst, 44, added: “You could hear them playing with the little girl in the garden.”

The young girl attended Wesley House Nursery, where director Andrew Clifford said staff were “shocked”.

Mr Clifford said: “It’s pretty devastating for the staff as they have worked with that family very closely. They’re very shocked. It’s very sad news.

“Our sympathies lie with the family.”