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Relative of two women killed at puppy farm speaks of her grief

Police are continuing to question pensioner John Lowe over the killings

Antonia Molloy
Tuesday 25 February 2014 08:05 EST
The bodies of two women were found at an address off Crooksbury Road in the village of Farnham on Sunday
The bodies of two women were found at an address off Crooksbury Road in the village of Farnham on Sunday (GOOGLE)

The relative of a mother and daughter who were shot dead at a puppy farm has spoken of her grief as detectives continue to question a dog breeder over the killings.

The bodies of the two women were found at Keepers Cottage Stud in Farnham, Surrey, on Sunday. Four dogs had also been killed.

The man arrested on suspicion of the shootings has been named in reports as 82-year-old John Lowe.

The victims were named as Christine Lee, 66, and her daughter Lucy, 40, according to The Sun.

38-year-old Stacy Banner, who is Lucy’s sister, told the newspaper: "I have lost everyone - my mum, sister. This is a nightmare.

"I just can't get my head around what's happened. My family's gone and I'm absolutely devastated."

The women have not been formally identified but they were related and known to Lowe. Both died from gunshot wounds, Surrey Police said, and post-mortem examinations were due to be completed on Monday.

Armed police were called to the property at 10am on Sunday. The body of the woman in her 60s was found inside the house, while the body of the other woman was found near outside animal pens.

No one else was at the property at the time and a long-barrelled firearm was recovered from the scene.

Three German shepherds and a labrador had also been shot and were removed from the property by the RSPCA, which also rescued a number of other animals.

Mr Lowe had previously been convicted of illegal puppy farming several years ago, according to reports.

Police also confirmed that they had had dealings with the pensioner in the past.

On Monday night magistrates granted police a further 24 hours in which to question him on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston said on Monday that the three people involved "are all believed to be known to each other and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident".

He added: "It is extremely sad that two people have lost their lives and police family liaison officers are working to support their relatives and friends at this very difficult time.

"We are conducting a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding these two deaths, however, at this time, we believe this is an isolated incident and there is no further risk to the wider community."

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Additional reporting by Press Association

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