THE village of Wheathampstead has been left mystified by the sudden discovery of what is believed to be the dead bodies of a mother and her severely disabled daughter.

The bodies were found at a house in Marford Road, close to the junction of Sheepcote Lane, just a few doors down on the opposite side of the road from the former Nelson pub, on Saturday at around 2pm.

Speculation surrounds the two women’s deaths but national reports say that detectives are considering the possibility that a mother killed her disabled daughter before taking her own life.

Next-door neighbour Angela Goodwin told the Review the pair were a quiet couple who kept themselves to themselves. But she said the daughter, thought to be in her mid thirties, was heavily dependant on her mother, aged in her fifties.

“They have lived there for at least 15 years,” Angela explained. “They used to keep themselves to themselves and the mother used to say hello occasionally. I don’t know their names or anything much about them but the daughter was very severely disabled.

“There’s a father as well but he doesn’t live there.”

Stephen Marshall, of Station Road, added: “The daughter was disabled from birth. Her mother used to do the gardening and her daughter used to watch her.”

Another resident Christine Field told the Review: "All I know is it was a mother and her disabled daughter. My aunt used to live next door about two years ago."

Deputy parish clerk for Wheathampstead Irene Casper said: "I understand two women were found dead in the house on the Marford Road. I don't know which one but it is subject to an ongoing police enquiry. I haven't had a chance to talk to the PCSO yet."

Officers were called to the scene after concerns were raised over the welfare of two people living at the property.

When officers arrived at the scene they found two bodies. Detectives cordoned off the road while forensics carried out an examination of the property. Emergency vehicles remained at the house until around 8pm on Saturday night.

Officers from the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit are trying to establish exactly what has happened, but have confirmed nobody else was involved. The bodies have not been formally identified and post mortems are being carried out. Inquests are expected to be opened into both deaths.