Hinckley father David Stokes murders his two children after critically injuring wife who asked for divorce then kills himself after five-hour police seige
Recently separated wife Sally is believed to have ask husband David Stokes for a divorce
A CRAZED dad murdered his two sons then killed himself during a five-hour police siege after their mum asked for a divorce.
Electrician David Stokes also tried murder wife Sally after barricading himself in at the family home with Adam, 11, and Matthew, five.
Sally, who turns 45 next week, was found outside with a serious head injury and taken to hospital and was critical last night.
Neighbours called police after hearing screams and shouting at 9.30pm on Tuesday night.
Special negotiators and officers rushed to the scene and made contact with David and Sally who were barricaded inside the house.
During the long stand-off officers spent hours urging Stokes, 43, to free his family.
Sally managed to flee from the back of the three-bed semi at around 2.30am yesterday.
Police stormed the house in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and found Mr Stokes dead along with his sons Adam, 11, and five-year-old Matthew.
Sally recently changed her status on Facebook to “separated”.
The couple had continued living together “for the sake of the boys”, despite splitting up several months ago, said neighbours.
But it is believed Sally recently asked Stokes, who is a keen cyclist, to move out.
Family friend Teresa Reid, 89, said: “They appeared to just be a very close happy family.
“But I guess you never know what has gone on behind closed doors. I can’t believe what has happened. It’s so very very sad.”
The two boys attended St Mary's CE Primary School, with head teacher Rachel Ayres saying: "Everyone at St Mary's is devastated by the tragic news about our pupils, Adam and Matthew, and our sincere sympathies are with their family and friends.
"This is an extremely difficult time for our pupils, staff and parents and our priority is supporting them. Special assemblies are being held tomorrow to support the children.
"Prayers will be said and we will have staff and counsellors available to speak to the children to ensure we're providing as much help as we can during this traumatic time."
Photographs on Stokes’s Facebook page appear to show the family on a holiday together as recently as this summer.
Polly Britten, 45, who lives nearby, said: “To sacrifice those poor innocent children like that, is just something you don’t do, no matter what is going on.
“They are completely blameless, yet they are dead.”
Sally’s father Stephen Foxon, 68, said: “We don’t want to say anything at the moment. It’s too raw and upsetting.”
Resident Wendy Aubrey said: "They woke me up at 2.30am. I was in bed.
“My neighbour could see a woman standing in the street. She phoned the police. I was woken up by screaming.
“All the cars came down, there were loads of them. I was kept awake by all the doors banging.
“I’ve been here 30 years, there’s always something going on in Hinckley, but you don’t expect it round here.”
Neighbour Mitch Bennett, 45, said: “There were at least five police cars and an unmarked van, and lots of officers milling around. Some looked like they were in riot gear. He seemed a normal guy.
“I hadn’t seen her or the children in a while. This is nice, neighbourly area.”
Police confirmed they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and they referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.