Crays Hill: Mother And Son's Gun Deaths Probed

5 September 2012, 10:00

Detectives are investigating the possibility a man shot his elderly mother dead before turning the gun on himself in Essex.

The bodies of Mark and Maureen Tyler were found in Mrs Tyler's bungalow in Pitsea View Road, Crays Hill, at about 8pm on Monday night (September 3rd).

It is believed their bodies had lain undiscovered in the bungalow at the end of a gravel track for several days.

Neighbours said they may have heard gunshots but thought nothing of it, as such noises are common in a rural area.

Police have confirmed that both died from gunshot wounds.

They are treating the deaths as suspicious but are not looking for anybody else in connection with the inquiry.

Mr Tyler, who was in his 30s and married with children, was known to police.

He was arrested but released without charge along with another man after an alleged neighbourhood dispute in Carlisle Way, Pitsea, in December.

Neighbours also said they understood Mr Tyler had a drug problem.

His mother, who was in her 70s, had lived alone at the bungalow since the death of her husband earlier this year.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hall said: "We are investigating the circumstances leading up to the deaths of these two people, who have not been formally identified, but we believe them to be mother and son.

"We believe that they may have been dead for some days and need to speak to anyone who has been in the area of Pitsea View Road recently and has any information that can help us with our inquiries.''