Murder inquiry launched after man’s stabbing

Mar 26 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a man died following a stabbing at a house.

Officers were called at about 4am today to a house in Heol Derw in Hengoed after reports that a man had been stabbed.

The injured man, a 42-year-old thought to be local, was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil where he was pronounced dead.

Police said today they were treating the incident as murder and scenes of crime officers were at the house searching for clues as to what happened.

The house has been cordoned off and three police vans and a police car have been in the residential street of 18 properties since dawn.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I am very, very shocked because I know people say it but nothing really does ever happen here.

“It makes my blood run cold as they are such a well respected and lovely family.

“They are a private family who keep themselves to themselves. The children have always been very well looked after.

“I am really upset and I am sure everybody else will be when they hear it’s a murder investigation.

“There’s a lot of police presence there and the vans and car has been there since 6am but it’s all very quiet.

“I did go out and ask the police what was going on but they just said it was an incident so I am very shaken that it’s a murder.”

Local county councillor Judith Pritchard said she was also shocked at the news, especially in an area of Hengoed which was normally quiet and peaceful.

“This is a very regrettable incident in an area which is usually quiet.

“It’s an old established council estate with a mix of private and local authority houses and is usually a very nice estate.

“I am sorry to hear of this unfortunate incident.

“My thoughts go out to the family of the deceased man.”

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was said to be helping police with their inquiries.

wendy.horton@mediawales.co.uk