Father of children among four found dead in house ‘heartbroken and shattered’

Father of children among four found dead in house ‘heartbroken and shattered’
20 killarmarsh
Gareth Milner

By Gareth Milner


Published: 20/09/2021

- 15:38

Updated: 20/09/2021

- 16:54

Jason Bennett collapsed in tears as he laid flowers for his children

The father of two children found dead in a house along with another youngster and a woman said he is “heartbroken” and “shattered” during emotional scenes at the site of the tragedy.

Jason Bennett collapsed in tears as he laid flowers for his children John, 13, and Lacey, 11, at the police cordon around the property in Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, near Sheffield.


The children were found at the house alongside their mother, named locally as Terri Harris, and a friend of one of the children.

Mr Bennett stayed at the scene for more than half-an-hour, clearly distraught and being comforted by a friend or relative.

Asked about his feelings as left, he said “heartbroken; million pieces; shattered”.

He said: “I’m broken, I just want to kiss my babies.

“I just want to kiss them and hold them. TikTok Queen and my beautiful boy, they were beautiful.”

His message to his daughter left with flowers at the scene said: “To Lacey, my TikTok Queen."

“Lost without you. Look after your big brother and don’t wind him up. Soon I will be there to kiss you, hold you tight and make it all better.”

His message to his son said: “To John, my beautiful son, keep your kind heart shining while the angels are looking after you for me.”

Mr Bennett’s parents Debbie and Trevor Bennett also arrived at the scene.

Mrs Bennett said: “I can’t understand why he had to take them all. Why take the kids? We are just heartbroken.”

They said their son was on holiday when he found out about the tragedy.

She said both children loved football – Lacey was a “proper” girl and John enjoyed his computers.

She said: “I don’t know how he’ll (Jason) come through this. He’s going to need a lot of strength.

Derbyshire Police said they were called to the house at around 7.25am on Sunday and found the bodies of four people. A murder inquiry has been launched and one man is in custody.

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