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A neighbor “heard a scream” on the road where two young boys were found dead

A neighbor said he heard what sounded like “screaming” during the day that two young boys had been found dead in a house on the same street to the east. London.

The bodies of the boys, aged two and five, were found by emergency services at a property on Cornwallis Road, in Dagenham, following a 2:00 p.m. call on Friday. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 44-year-old woman known to the two boys was arrested shortly after and remained in custody as of Saturday night, according to reports Metropolitan police.

A man, also known to the children, was arrested near the scene in connection with the incident but was later released without further action.

On Saturday, a neighbor said he heard a “loud yell or scream” between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. the day before, shortly before emergency services were called.

“It was more like a shout, probably men [who screamed]” said father-of-two Sultan Wadud, 40, who lives on Cornwallis Road.

“I didn’t have time to look out the window to see what was going on, but [the scream] it was more of a reaction than someone’s cry. I just moved to the area about a year ago. The area is very quiet.

“It’s scary and sad at the same time knowing what happened, especially being a parent with two young children. It was a shock to society.”

Another neighbour, Sebastian Asiedu, 43, said: “Yesterday I saw police and ambulances everywhere but I didn’t know what was happening until I heard on the news that two children [had died].

“It’s so sad I couldn’t even sleep. I feel so bad, I feel so sad, I feel so worried, I feel so worried because when we moved here it was a quiet place to live.”

Michael Rutherford, 46, also of Cornwallis Road, added: “It’s horrible. This is shocking. A quiet street.”

Cornwallis Road, Dagenham

(Google Maps)

On Saturday evening, Scotland Yard said that specialist detectives were continue their investigationand that the cartons remained in place.

“This is obviously an extremely disturbing incident with many unanswered questions, however at this very early stage no one else is being sought in connection with the death,” said Detective Inspector Sean Trewick, from the East London Local Policing Group.

“I want to thank local residents for the assistance they gave officers as they began working with partner agencies to establish the full circumstances surrounding these two tragic deaths. They will see extra officers in the area and anyone with information or concerns should speak to these officers.”

A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course, police said.

Councilor Elizabeth Kangete, who lives off Cornwallis Road, said there was a “heavy police presence” on Friday night.

“They are talking to local people to reassure us and they have told people who they can contact if they have any problems because people are going to be hurt,” she told the BBC.

“It’s going to be upsetting for everyone, not just the local community, everyone who hears it is going to be affected, everyone is going to be in shock, especially with Christmas so close.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information that could assist police with their inquiries are asked to call 101 quoting reference number 3408/16 December.

Additional PA reporting

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/dagenham-children-deaths-scream-neighbour-b2247263.html

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