Nursing home deaths - man arrested

The 19-year-old man is being held in connection with the incidents at the Hayes Park Nursing Home in Leicester. The suspect, who is local to the area, was arrested shortly before 8.30pm on Wednesday, a Leicestershire police spokesman said.

The two victims, who have not been named, were found dead at about 4am on Wednesday at the home on Cropthorne Avenue on the Rowlatts Hill Estate.

A murder investigation was launched after the bodies of the female residents were discovered by staff at the home.

The police spokesman said the women had not yet been formally identified, but that officers hoped the process would take place on Thursday. Family liaison officers have been assigned to support family members of the victims.

Detective Superintendent Chris Thomas, who is heading the investigation, said: "The arrest is a significant development in this double murder investigation, but our inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are continuing.

"Detailed forensic work is still going on at the scene and officers will be working round the clock to piece together exactly what happened to the women in the early hours of (Wednesday) morning. Part of the nursing home remains cordoned off to allow this work to take place."

The officer added: "Post-mortem examinations have yet to be completed and we are hopeful that the results will give us a clearer picture of the circumstances which led to the deaths."

A spokesman on behalf of the directors of the nursing home said: "The directors are fully supportive of the ongoing police investigation.

"The staff at the home have contacted relatives of residents to reassure them about the situation and to advise them that the home is operating as usual. The safety of our residents is our top priority and we will continue to fully co-operate with the police investigation."