UPDATE: Dad arrested for killing 2 children had just broken up with their mother (Manchester, England, United Kingdom)

Update on article posted below. It appears that UNNAMED DAD was "estranged" from the children's mother following the recent break-up of their marriage. The children had just spent the weekend with Dad. There is no mention of previous abuse in this relationship (not that this means anything despite all the ignorant blather from the neighbors), but we see all the hallmarks of an abusive relationship. LEAVING AN ABUSIVE NARCISSIST/CONTROL FREAK IS ALWAYS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220334/Father-arrested-suspicion-murdering-boy-2-girl-4.html

Father arrested on suspicion of murdering his two-year-old son and daughter aged 4
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:07 PM on 14th October 2009

A father was arrested today on suspicion of murdering of his two-year-old son and daughter aged four following the break-up of his marriage.

The mother of the children discovered their bodies at their Manchester home this morning, and it is believed they had been strangled.

The couple were estranged and their children had spent the weekend with their 37-year-old father and were due to be picked up by their mother today.

Forensics officers search the scene after two childen were found strangled around 8am this morning in a block of flats in Whalley Range, Manchester

The children were removed from the scene and taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead a short time later.

Detective Superintendent Geoff Wessell of Greater Manchester Police said: 'They were found in a bedroom with the father there next to them. He lived at the address.

'His ex-partner recently moved out and had agreed to let the father look after the children for the weekend.

'She had gone back for clothes and let herself in and was confronted by this traumatic scene.'
Mr Wessell said detectives are not seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths.

The father lived in Lansbury House, a three-storey housing association block of flats on leafy Whalley Road in Whalley Range, a suburb close to the city centre.

Mr Wessell said: 'This was a traumatic incident for the family and the officers that attended. No other person is being sought in connection and that male arrested remains in custody and is due to be interviewed today.'

A forensics officer searches the flat. The children were staying with their 37-year-old father who had recently split with their mother.

After his arrest the children's father collapsed and was taken to hospital.

The detective said the children's mother, believed to be studying for a PhD, was 'extremely distressed' and is being comforted by specialist family liaison officers.

Post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out later today.

The family are believed to be from South Africa and have lived in Britain for six years.

During the day, a police cordon was thrown up around the three-storey block of flats and forensic investigators in white body suits could be seen working around the entrance.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, described seeing the father being led away from the flats in handcuffs this morning.

The 35-year-old woman said: 'As I was leaving for work this morning, they were handcuffing him. He went calmly.'

She described hearing 'terrible noises' before the arrest.

The double murder took place in a one-bedroom flat south of Manchester

The woman said: 'I had the door open and I heard this noise. It sounded like a child gasping and I heard a noise of the most horrible moaning.

'I've never heard a noise like it. It sounded like an animal.'

Sophie Partington, 34, who lived at the block of flats, where the children lived, said the children had seemed happy and well-cared for.

'They were just a normal happy family. The kids were always playing out on the grass outside,' she said.

'I'm shocked, I just can't believe it, I can't understand what's happened. The kids were lovely, cute little kids. He was finding his feet and she was starting school.

'She was a lovely little girl with a brand new school uniform, she looked really smart, and I thought "they must be really proud".'

The housing association flats are on a leafy street in a suburb two miles from Manchester city centre

Ms Partington said a neighbour took the children to a harvest festival at a local church on Saturday and they enjoyed face painting and had a 'lovely day'.

She added: 'The father was always smartly dressed, in a shirt and tie and carried a briefcase. He was always with the children and they just seemed a nice normal family.'

Mussi Gebremariam, 32, who lives opposite the children's home, said: 'They were always playing with their mother around the garden, especially at weekends, she always keeps the door open.

'I last saw the children about five days ago and they smiling and looking happy as usual.'

Another neighbour, who didn't wish to be named, said: 'I saw the children a couple of times with the dad.

'They seemed happy enough and this news has come as a terrible shock. It's a real tragedy.'