Boston killings: Deaths of London doctor and fiancee in US penthouse 'a tragedy beyond measure'

The family of a London doctor killed alongside his fiancee in a luxury US penthouse apartment have described their deaths as a “tragedy beyond measure.”

Relatives said anaesthetist Richard Field, 49, and Lina Bolanos, 38, were "loving, vital people" with an "infectious" joy for life.

The couple were found dead in their apartment in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday night.

According to police, their throats had been slashed and their hands had been tied together.

Bampumim Teixeira, 30, from Massachusetts, was charged with two counts of murder on Monday in a hospital bed after being shot when police arrived at the scene.

Killed: Linda Bolanos and Richard Field

On Friday, he was arrested after police responded to reports of a gunman inside the high-rise apartment block where the couple lived.

Officers stormed the flat and – after a dramatic shoot-out with the suspect – discovered the bodies of the Hammersmith anaesthesiologists and his wife.

In their final moments, the couple - who had been planning to marry later this year - had texted their friend in a plea for help saying there was a gunman in their building.

Charged: At Tufts Medical Center in Boston Bampumim Teixeira, accused of murdering two engaged doctors
David L Ryan/The Boston Globe/Pool/AP

In a statement, Dr Field's family said: "Richard and Lina were loving, vital people whose joy for life was infectious and love for family absolute.

"They thrived on travelling, experiencing cultures and making friends in every port. As such, their loss will be felt by family and loved ones across the world.

"Their passing is a tragedy beyond measure and our lives will forever be changed."

The family said they want the pair to be remembered for their lives rather than their deaths, and asked for donations to Doctors Without Borders.

According to the Massachusetts medicine board Mr Field graduated from Sheffield University in 1999 and worked at a clinic in Beverly, north of Boston.

The North Shore Pain Management centre, where he had worked since 2010, spoke of him as a "guiding vision" who gave patients and colleagues his "tireless devotion".

Suspect: Police detained a man after he was shot three times at the scene of the crime
David L. Ryan/Pool/Reuters

Dr Bolanos, who worked at Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital as a paediatric anaesthetist, was described by colleagues on Monday as a "shining star".

The couple were found dead in the apartment having suffered "obvious trauma", the Suffolk County District Attorney's office said.

Teixeira, who was shot three times when police arrived at the scene, had worked in security at the apartment complex until April last year for a period of around three weeks.

Reports emerged following his arrest stating that he had two previous convictions of demanding money from banks and had recently been released from jail.

Police revealed that on searching the crime scene they discovered a rucksack filled with jewellery belonging to Dr Bolanos, as well as a knife and a replica firearm.

Teixeira's lawyer, Steven Sack, entered not guilty pleas to the two counts of murder at South Boston Municipal Court and did not request bail.

The case returns to court on June 8.

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