The wife of a wealthy banker has been arrested on suspicion of murdering their two young children who were found dead at their family home by their father.
The man, who various sources are identifying as Jeffrey Boots, returned to his £1.2m-home in the leafy suburb of Wandsworth, South London, on Wednesday night to find his one-year-old daughter and 10-week-old son dead.
Police and paramedics were called to the tragic scene in Killarney Road, at 7.25pm. Despite efforts by the father to revive his children, who reportedly may have been smothered to death, the babies were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to reports the woman, who has unofficially been named as Felicia Boots and in her mid-thirties, had been found with her wrists slit, and Scotland Yard are investigating the possibility she suffered from post-natal depression.
Mr Boots is believed to have worked as an investment banker in the City at BMO Capital Markets. According to his LinkedIn profile, the banker was director at the public trading company but left in March 2011 after working there for more than four years. Locals say the family moved into the five-bedroom semi-detached property just weeks ago.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, was quoted by PA as saying the family seemed "very nice".
She said: "It's a lovely area. We're very shocked."
Estate agents Savills, who sold the house to the family, described the property as "beautifully presented with a wonderful feeling of space".
Neighbour Jackie Cook, 52, told PA: "It's such a tragedy, I can't believe it. Last night there were police swarming everywhere. There were ambulances and police cars all along the road.
"I think they only moved a couple of weeks ago."
A woman now residing at the penthouse apartment the family recently vacated, described the pair as "lovely people".
"She had just had a newborn baby when we moved in as tenants."
Police outside the street in Wandsworth
Mrs Boots, a trained hairdresser and jewellery designer for her own company Pink Tangerine, is currently being questioned at a south London police station.
The Canadian-born stylist is described by former colleagues on her company's website as "a creative genius" and "attentive and unassuming".
Detectives from the force's child abuse command are leading the murder investigation.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: "Inquiries are under way after the death of two children in Wandsworth.
"Police were called to an address in Killarney Road at 7.25pm on Wednesday 9 May.
"The London Ambulance Service also attended but a 10-week-old boy and a 14-month-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Post-mortem examinations will take place in due course. Next of kin are aware."
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
“We sent three ambulance crews, a motorcycle responder and a duty officer to the scene.
“Sadly, two infants were dead at the scene.
“No one was taken to hospital.”