Wife and daughter were stabbed at Hemel Hempstead house fire

Hertfordshire Constabulary says Caroline Walker, 50, and her daughter Katie, 24, were found with stab wounds, after emergency services were called to a house fire in Stuarts Close, Hemel Hempstead, last Sunday.

Police have also confirmed Gary Walker, 57, Caroline's husband and Katie's father, died as a result of the fire.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue were called to the Walker's home at around 12.30pm, with police arriving minutes later, following reports of a fire.

Inside, the emergency services found three bodies.

A crime scene was put in place at the property and a forensic tent was erected.

Credit: SWNS

On Monday morning, police launched a murder investigation but later in the day, the force said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

This week, flowers have been left outside the home in Stuarts Close.

Credit: SWNS

Today (Friday) Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson, from the Beds, Cambs and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I fully understand that this tragic incident will have had an impact on the local community. I would like to once again reassure people that this was an isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else in connection to it.

"The family is being supported by specially-trained officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.

“In due course a file will be passed to the coroner.”

A private ambulance joins marked police vehicles in Stuarts Close. Credit: SWNS

A forensic officer pictured outside the home on Monday. Credit: SWNS

Peter Downer, 67, who lived across the road from the Walker's, called 999 after he saw smoke coming from the property.

The retired car valeter said on Monday: "I didn't see any fire, it was just smoke. But if you see smoke, it relates to fire, so I just got straight on the phone to the fire brigade."

He added: "They were my friends. They were such a nice family. Very quiet, but very nice."