Man charged over couple's death

A man has been charged over the deaths of a couple in Torquay
12 April 2012

Detectives investigating the deaths of an elderly couple found in a flat have charged a man with murder.

The bodies of Rosemary Windle, 72, and her partner Maurece Smith, 71, were discovered on Monday afternoon at their flat in Torquay, Devon.

Odai Salah, 28, of Windsor Road, Torquay, was charged with the murders of Ms Windle and an unnamed man, said Devon and Cornwall Police.

Salah was being held in custody and will appear at Torquay Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Sources close to the investigation said one of the murder charges was in relation to the investigation into Mr Smith's death.

Mr Smith has not yet been formally identified as police are awaiting the outcome of tests but the family of Ms Windle have paid tribute to him.

Police were called to Cumberland House, in Warren Road, at 2.45pm on Monday after concerns were raised about the pair's welfare as they had last been seen alive on Thursday.

Officers arrested a second man in his early 20s on suspicion of assisting an offender and he has been released on bail.

Detective Superintendent Steve Carey said the deaths were "not a random attack and the motive at this early stage appears to be financial".

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