A mother and her 13-year-old son were knifed to death and the boy's father left fighting for his life when a man thought to be living with them allegedly carried out a brutal stabbing before fleeing in the family's Land Rover.
The family have been named locally as company director Peter Wilkinson, 47, his 50-year-old wife Tracey and their teenage son Piers.
The suspect allegedly stole a car from the scene but was caught half an hour later after crashing it as police were in pursuit. A man in his 20s was arrested and will be questioned by officers on suspicion of murder and wounding.
Detectives said the double murder was not thought to be linked to a robbery or burglary. They believe the suspect, who is 'known to police', may have been living with the family at the time but said he is not a relative.
Police and the ambulance service had been called to the property in Stourbridge, West Midlands, just after 8am where Mrs Wilkinson and her son were found inside the house and her husband injured in the garden.
.Mrs Wilkinson was pronounced dead at the scene while her teenage son, who is believed to be a pupil at Redhill Secondary School in Stourbridge, suffered critical stab injuries and died later in hospital.
Mr Wilkinson, who runs Hill and Smith, a firm that manufactures safety barriers, remains in hospital 'in a very serious condition' with stab wounds to his chest and back.
A Land Rover stolen from outside the home was intercepted by police around 30 minutes later in Norton Road and a man in his 20s arrested.
He is currently in police custody and will later be questioned on suspicion of murder and wounding.
Neighbours said the couple, who also have a daughter Lydia who is away at university, were a 'nice normal family'.
A couple who lived a few doors down told how they used to see Mr Wilkinson walking his greyhound along the street.
A man, who didn't want to be named, added: 'Peter and Tracey have lived there for about seven or eight years.
'They've got a son who is 13 and a daughter who is in her first year at Bristol university.
'We know them to talk to and say hello to. We would see Peter walking his greyhound along the road and he would always stop to talk.
''They were a nice, normal family. They were lovely. We used to go to the same pub as them up the road and they were very friendly.'
His wife added: 'I think Tracey was a housewife and Peter was a company director. He was always travelling.
'Their parents were interested in buying our old house when we sold it a few years ago so they came around.
'They invited us into their house and it was beautiful inside, they have done it up really well.'
Neighbour Maggie Panes, who lives opposite the Wilkinson's home, said: 'We know them to talk to and by name but we don't socialise with them.
'It's absolutely tragic, my heart goes out to them. What sort of person can do this? What's happened in that house?
'It wasn't a burglary so it's not like it could have happened to anybody but it doesn't make it any less tragic.
'My husband saw the police, ambulance and helicopter and then he was walking along Norton Road and saw the car being pursued by police.
What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking
Superintendent Lee Kendrick
'I saw them come out of the house with two of them on stretchers and you could tell it was serious because the emergency services were running.
'She (Tracey) was so thrilled and excited about the house. She showed me around the house once and they'd had the kitchen done and she was thrilled.
'Tracey is very striking to look at. She was very tall, very slim, very glamorous with dark hair.
'She used to do ballroom dance to quite a high competitive level. I don't think she was professional. But she was very good.'
Mr Wilkinson's parents John and Wendy, both aged 72, were not in at their detached house in nearby Kingswinford, West Midlands today.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said he believed they had been at the hospital most of the day.
He said: 'Their world has just come tumbling down. They are completely heartbroken. They are a retired couple and Peter was their only son.
'He would come round with the family and the dog, who I think is called Mandy and they appeared so close-knit and happy all of the time.
'They just looked in a state of utter shock this morning. I don't think they can comprehend what has happened, how could you?
'They have lost a grandson, a daughter-in-law and are now facing the prospect of losing their son.
We just pray he pulls through. It's truly awful what has happened and every family's worst nightmare.'
Dudley Police Superintendent Lee Kendrick, said: 'What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking. Police and ambulance were confronted with an awful scene: a man, woman and boy all with very serious stab injuries
'The woman and boy were found in the house and the man in the garden.
'Tragically there was nothing that could be done to save the woman – and her son later died in hospital from his injuries. Our hearts go out to the victims’ family and friends at this devastating news.
'Clearly our investigation is at a very early stage but we understand the suspect was known to the family and may have been living at the address – although he is not a family relative. We don’t think this was a burglary or a robbery.
'Our investigation is progressing at pace and we are working to understand exactly what the relationship was between the man and the family. At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.'
Mr Kendrick confirmed the suspect was known to the police, but said it was 'too early' to comment further.
It's absolutely tragic, my heart goes out to them. What sort of person can do this?
Neighbour Maggie Panes
He said: 'He is known to the police.
'At this moment in time, it's too early to look at and release the details as to any previous dealings he has had with West Midlands Police, however he is known to the organisation.'
A woman, who asked not to be named, who knew the family, said: 'They were a really happy family.
'I saw Peter and his son in the local pub a couple of weeks ago playing pool and enjoying themselves. Peter would be in there most Friday nights for a couple of drinks.
'Tracey was tall and slim, she looked like a model. I can't believe what's happened. We're all in shock.'
Colin Giles, who lives a few doors up from the couple, said they were a 'smashing' family.
He said: 'When they go away they'll often ask me to collect their parcels for them.
'They're a very nice couple, smashing really, and very neighbourly.'
Another resident, who doesn't wish to be named, said there were several police cars as well as helicopters surrounding the area at 8.30am this morning.
She said: 'I heard all the sirens this morning and then I went outside to see what was going on.
'There were about five police cars as well as unmarked police vehicles, ambulances and two helicopters.
'It's a nice, quiet, residential road we're all really shocked. I understand the car crash on the Norton Road is also connected, I'm just concerned for the people's safety.'
A huge emergency response team was sent to the family's aid including two air ambulances, two land ambulances and a paramedic rapid response vehicle.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff it became apparent at the scene that nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed deceased.
'The teenage boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and received specialist trauma care and advanced life support from our staff.
'He was taken on blue lights to Birmingham Children's Hospital with treatment continuing en route.
'Sadly, shortly after arrival in A&E and despite the best efforts of ambulance staff and hospital medics, he could not be saved and he was also confirmed dead.
'The man, who was conscious, was also in a serious condition as a result of his stab wounds and was alerted in to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance.'
