The full horror of a double death tragedy in Fife unfolded as it emerged a mother was killed by her former partner as their two young children slept nearby.
Scott Simpson (41) then left Violet (5) and one-year-old Logan in bed and drove home, where he committed suicide.
Neighbours said they thought Violet discovered the body of her mum Jennifer Rennie (26) when she got up in the morning.
However, police refused to confirm or deny that, describing it as speculation.
A neighbour called 999 to report Ms Rennie’s death at 7.45am on Monday, hours after reports of a disturbance in the ground floor flat on Findlay Street, Rosyth.
Superintendent Gary Flannigan said neither child had witnessed their mother’s murder and had slept through the night. The grim discovery led police to the former family home three miles away in Dalgety Bay, where Simpson’s body was found.
The family had lived there until just two weeks ago when Ms Rennie moved out with the children. Mr Flannigan said the circumstances of the deaths were being investigated and refused to reveal whether a weapon had been used.
The children are now being cared for by Jennifer’s relatives with the support of social services and the police family protection unit.
Scott’s body was found in his home in Letham Way, Dalgety Bay, where the family had lived together until a fortnight ago.
Jennifer’s family was too upset to talk about her death, but in a statement released through Fife Police they said: “Jenny was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend. She was a friend to everyone and will be sorely missed.
“We are all devastated by what has happened and would now ask to be allowed some privacy to grieve at this sad time.”
Members of Scott’s family in Newburgh asked to be left to grieve in peace. Other relatives in Cupar declined to comment when approached by The Courier.
Mr Flannigan said Scott, a builder, and Jennifer, who worked at Dobbies garden centre in Dalgety Bay, had been together for six years until they separated and had never come to the attention of the police.
“There were no reports to the police before and no previous background we are aware of,” adding that the circumstances of the two deaths were still being investigated.
“We can’t say how they died just now as post mortems are under way at present,” he said. I’m not prepared to say if there was a weapon used. It looks as if this is entirely self contained one murder and one death.”
He refused to comment on reports that Scott had been a bodybuilder and the couple had split following rows over his use of steroids.