The Greater Manchester community have paid their respects after a mum and daughter were discovered dead inside of a property in Salford on Monday, as the police issued an update on the investigation
Emotional floral tributes have been left outside a home after a mother and daughter were discovered lifeless inside.
Emergency services were called to reports of a concern for welfare at the property in Salford, Greater Manchester, shortly after 10.30am on Monday. Police and medics sadly found the mum, aged 40, and the child, aged 8, both dead. Devastating images showed a teddy, alongside a card which read: “Rest in Paradise”.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have not confirmed their identities, however, their neighbour said the mother was named Martina and the daughter Elani. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, described the mother as half-Polish and half-Italian and said she had lived at the address, on South Radford Street, for around two years.
She revealed that Martina didn’t work and spent most of her time caring for her daughter who was “severely disabled”. She added: “I didn’t see that much of her, I was at work all day. All I could say was she was a loving and devoted mother to the little girl. Elani was severely disabled and hugely dependant on her mum. She had a walking frame and she would walk with her mum up and down the street outside their house.”
She added: “A bus would come to take the girl to a special school each day. Martina was quite a closed person. She would talk to most people, but she was very up and down in her moods. Sometimes she would smile and say hello and other times blank you.” Following their deaths, some of the neighbours went door knocking to collect donations to purchase flowers.
Resident Selina Clements described the news as “really, really shocking” and explained that “you can really feel the sombre feeling” in the community, reports BBC. Detectives investigating the case said they are “not actively looking for anyone else” following the two deaths.
Salford City Council also addressed the “terribly sad news” and said they will be supporting locals who were affected by the tragedy. Social media users also reacted to the news. One person said: “Heartbreaking, thoughts go out to the family and the emergency services”. Another commented: “Absolutely heartbreaking RIP thinking of the family”. Kirsty wrote: “Poor family, heartbreaking”.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the deceased woman and girl’s next of kin had been informed of their passing and were being supported by specialist officers. On Tuesday, a police cordon remained in place around the address, with local residents arriving with bouquets of flowers to pay their respects.
Officers were photographed laying the tributes on their behalf beside a wooden boundary fence outside the brick-built property. Detective Superintendent Simon Moyles of Greater Manchester Police said yesterday: “A woman and young girl were both tragically found dead and we are working hard as a team to establish what happened here this morning.
“Whilst we are not actively looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation, I understand the news of their deaths and the large police and emergency services presence at the address will most likely cause some concern to residents and those further afield in Greater Manchester.
“I want to reassure them that we believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider threat in the community. A cordon has been put in place and there is a scene is contained on South Radford Street. We continue to thank the public for their patience as we respond in the area. We have placed a number of highly visible officers to patrol in and around the area should any residents wish to come and talk to us or pass on any information they may have about this tragic incident.
A Salford City Council spokesperson added: “We are aware of the terribly sad news this morning and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives. We’re working closely with GMP and assisting them with their ongoing investigation and our teams will be supporting both local residents and council staff who have no doubt been greatly affected by the events today.”
