‘Brilliant’ mum and girls found dead in house
Javid vow in hunt for fugitive speedboat killer
NEIGHBOURS and friends last night spoke of their shock at the death of a “brilliant” mother and her two little daughters.
The bodies of Tiffany Stevens, 27, and daughters Casey, three, and Darcey, one, were discovered at their midterraced home on Monday afternoon.
Members of Ms Stevens’s family and friends are thought to have been at the scene when police arrived to investigate what they said was a “report of concern for welfare”.
Shocked neighbours in Little Lever, Bolton, said they heard “screaming” in the alley behind the property.
Police investigating the tragedy said they were not looking for anybody else.
A gas engineer was seen at the house, but police said there was no evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Floral tributes, toys and cards were later laid at the scene. HOME Secretary Sajid Javid has vowed to “strain every sinew” in the hunt for speedboat crash fugitive Jack Shepherd.
Charlotte Brown’s family met Mr Javid in Westminster yesterday amid fears Shepherd is in Georgia.
He vanished before he was due to stand trial for killing Miss Brown, 24, during a champagne-fuelled first date on the Thames in London in December 2015.
Shepherd was found clinging to the hull and Ms Brown, from Clacton, Essex, was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive.
He was sentenced in his absence to six years in prison for manslaughter by gross negligence.
Miss Brown’s father Graham said last night: “The Home Secretary has underlined his personal commitment to see Shepherd is arrested and that the current manhunt is given the necessary resources and have a look and the next thing, rapid response are around the corner.
“It sounds like he found them. I’d never seen him before. It could have been a boyfriend, friend or relative. I don’t know. It’s so very sad.”
Ms Stevens’s friend Sammy Leigh described her as “a very bright, bubbly girl”. She said: “She had such a loving character. She would do anything to help anyone.
“Whenever we was out and about shopping, she would take the time to sit at the side of homeless people to get to know them. Honestly, she really was one of a kind.”
The family is thought to have moved into the house about two years ago.
Superintendent Rick Jackson of Bolton police said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident and we have specialist officers supporting the family.
“We are keeping an open mind. However, based on what we know so far we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
“I would urge anyone who knows anything to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency, as your information could be vital to this investigation.” priority it requires. There can be no hiding place for Jack Shepherd. No one should give support, assistance or encouragement to him other than to do what he should have done from the first instance which is to hand himself in. The family will not rest, we will not tire until justice is Tragedy...Tiffany Stevens, 27, and her young daughters Darcey and Casey were found dead done and Shepherd is held to account for the loss of our beautiful daughter. Jack Shepherd was able to abscond whilst on unconditional bail. The police and other agencies have a responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure justice is served.”
The meeting with the Home Secretary was arranged by the family’s MP, James Brokenshire. Mr Javid said: “Charlotte’s family are understandably heartbroken and distraught following this awful tragedy.
“I told the family we will strain every sinew and explore every option to bring them the justice they deserve as soon as possible. The Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency are doing all they can to track down Mr Shepherd. If anyone is aware of his whereabouts they should report it immediately.
“I am repeating my plea for Mr Shepherd to give himself up.”