Cop Murders 3-Year-Old Son Before Taking His Own Life, Police Say

The deaths of a police officer and his 3-year-old son are being treated as a murder-suicide, British police have said.

David Louden, 39, and his son Harrison were found dead at their home in Kidderminster, a town in Worcestershire, central England, on Friday morning.

West Mercia Police originally said the two deaths were unexplained and launched an investigation.

In an update on Wednesday, the department said it was now treating Harrison Louden's death as murder while David Louden, who was a serving West Mercia police officer, was thought to have taken his own life.

No one else is being sought in connection with the deaths, according to police.

"We, West Mercia Police, are now treating the death of Harrison as a suspected murder and the death of David as a suspected suicide," said Assistant Chief Constable Damian Barratt in a statement.

"Post mortems have now taken place and the investigation team, in conjunction with the coroner, are satisfied that no other parties were involved."

Barratt added that safeguarding reviews had started and an inquest would take place in order to provide an "official determination" about the cause of death for the two.

"This is a dreadfully sad case and our thoughts are with David and Harrison's family and friends," he said.

The police force had previously said David Louden's wife and family had "expressed their deep shock, grief and devastation at the loss of these two much loved family members."

In a statement released through West Mercia Police at the weekend, the family said: "David was a kind, loving, considerate, amazing father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend and colleague. Harrison was a happy, well-loved little boy. They will both be forever missed and loved."

Police arrived at the Kidderminster home at around 9:20 a.m. on Friday after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man and child inside.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a hazardous area response team also attended the scene, said a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman.

"On arrival we discovered two patients, a man and a young child," the spokesman said. "Sadly, it quickly became apparent that neither patient could be saved and they were confirmed dead at the scene."

Neighbors told The Shuttle local newspaper they were shocked to hear about the deaths.

One neighbor, who asked not to be named, said: "I didn't really know the occupants, they kept themselves to themselves. They've lived there less than a year, it's a family. The news is just awful."

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.