'Mother and son' shot dead at house in Crays Hill

A man and a woman, believed to be a mother and son, have been found dead with gunshot wounds at a house in Essex.

Police were called to Pitsea View Road, Crays Hill, on Monday evening following concerns the occupants of a property had not been seen for several days.

The dead man was aged in his 30s and the woman in her 70s.

Police said they were not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

A detailed forensic examination will take place to establish the exact circumstances of both deaths.

Both victims had gunshot wounds and post-mortem examinations will be held.

Det Ch Insp 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."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the BBC: "We woke up about 11 last night as all the dogs were going mad as the police arrived. We're on an unmade road.

"I just got up and had a look at what was making the dogs bark and that was it. I could just see the top of the police cars and flashlights.

"Police have stopped anyone coming down the road this morning and that's caused some disruption."

Another neighbour said the sound of gunshots was common as part of farming practices in the area.

"You'd have heard a bang and not thought anything about it," the neighbour said.