The "lovely couple" who died in flats tragedy

THE couple who died in the New Year's Day tragedy at Dalmore Court had enjoyed more than 60 years of married life before suffering failing health.

A post mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist has revealed that Olive Blyth died from two stab wounds.

Mrs Blyth, 83, was found in bed at the couple's third floor flat at the Marina flats block by police early on New Year's Day after a fellow resident had found the body of her husband, George, in the service yard behind the flats.

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The tragedy has shocked the small community within the block.

In a tribute this week, friend and next door neighbour David McGarvey described Olive and George as "a lovely couple."

Mr McGarvey said Mr Blyth had died on his 86th birthday.

"He was a fellow director of the Dalmore Court Residents' Company. I am company secretary.

"I checked the records. He was born on January 1, 1922...

"They had lived here for 11 years. They lived next to us. Naturally, we became good neighbours and he was a fellow director of the residents' association.

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"They were a lovely and dear couple; very private people. They kept themselves to themselves.

"In the 11 years we had known them they had been to us once for dinner. But my wife had been to visit Olive on many occasions.

"It has been a hell of a shock.

"Another resident found poor George. I heard the commotion down below and looked out of the window. It was horrible.

"People here are very concerned. There are flowers and tributes down in the yard.

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"They used to be very active people but they had both been unwell. The last year had been bad for them both. My wife had been in to see Olive at Christmas. We were worried for them both.

"He had been in the Merchant Navy in his early days. He was a very good cook '“ he did all the cooking for himself and his wife.

"He had joined Ford's at Dagenham and was a 'progress chaser.' His job was to make sure that things were kept going on the production line and that all the parts were arriving on time.

"Both had worked all their lives. Olive worked for a medical company.

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"They had retired to Lincolnshire, where they had a bungalow built for them. They later moved to Frinton before moving here.

"We are all very shocked. We can't believe it.

"They were a lovely couple. Though they kept themselves to themselves we knew were there for us and we were there for them '“ or we thought we were..."

Detective Sergeant David Bristow of Rother CID confirmed this week that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

He said Mr Blyth died from multiple injuries. It is believed he had fallen from the top of the seven-storey block.

Detective Sergeant Bristow said: "I have to conduct the investigation on behalf of the Coroner. The investigation is nearly completed."