A mother has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her two young children after their bodies were found in a car on an affluent residential street in Heathfield, East Sussex.
Fiona Donnison and her daughter Elise
The bodies of children named locally as three-year-old Harry Donnison and his 18 month-old sister Elise were discovered after their mother Fiona Donnison walked to a local police station to report an “incident”.
Officers then forced their way into the silver Nissan hatchback and found the children, who had been dead for some time, in separate sports bags in the back of the car.
Police said that Mrs Donnison had injuries to one arm and is believed to have self harmed. She was taken to hospital under police guard.
She is believed to have separated from the children’s father Paul before Christmas and she had moved away from the family home to live in Lightwater, Surrey.
They had already suffered tragedy five years ago with the death of Mia, their first child together, just before her first birthday.
On her site on the Friends Reunited website Mrs Donnison proudly displayed a photograph of Elise captioned: “My beautiful daughter, I know I’m biased.”
Police said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths, but sealed off a large family home 100yd from Mill Close, where the bodies were found.
Neighbours said the three-storey detached property was recently put on the market after the couple who own it split up before Christmas.
The children were pronounced dead at the scene. They were in separate seats in the back of the car and had been dead some time. The cause of death has not been made public.
Last night Mrs Donnison was receiving treatment at Eastbourne District General Hospital where her condition was said to be stable.
Paul Donnison, who worked as an underwriter in the city for 15 years, has two children from a previous relationship; Hannah, 19, and Alexander, 16.
On her FriendsReunited profile, Mrs Donnison said she worked as a credit manager for a Lloyds syndicate in the city but was currently looking for another job. She said she owns a BMW 5 series and enjoys golf and skiing.
The incident caused distress in the quiet community. Homes on the street typically sell for more than £250,000 and the market town is surrounded by the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Ian Paseka, a resident of Mill Close, said: “It’s terrible. This is an upper middle-class residential area with no crime whatsoever. We’ve never had a burglary. “The crime scene is all cordoned off. There is police tape, and a police car and two policemen here.”
Post mortem examinations are due to take place on Thursday.
Ch Insp Julia Pope, the Wealden district policing commander, said: “This is a very tragic incident, but I would like to reassure people that it is fully contained and there is no threat to anyone in the area.”
Popularity: 1% [?]
Designed to help you complete both professional jobs and hobby projects, the Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Top is a multi-purpose system for interior fitting and renovation. This all-round package gives you the professional tools and accessories that you need to take on a wide range of hobbies, and interior fittings and renovation projects — from floor and tile work to renovating windows and cabinetry. It includes the MultiMaster FMM 250Q, featuring the tool-free QuickIN rapid clamping system that lets you change out accessories quickly while you’re on the job, and a sturdy plastic case.