Communities are in shock and disbelief as four murder investigations were launched across Merseyside in just one week.
Families across the region were torn apart as two men men and two women were found dead in their own homes in the space of one week. The first incident took place on Sunday, May 8 when police rushed to a house on Longmoor Lane in Fazakerly after reports of a man falling from the upstairs window of a property.
Paramedics also attended the scene and rushed the man, in his 40s, to hospital where he died. The second incident came to light on Wednesday, May 11 when police received calls at 8.30am reporting a woman was found dead inside a house in Huyton.
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Once at the scene officers found a 43-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds. She died at the scene. The following day a woman in Birkenhead was found dead in her flat on Vittoria Close.
The two deaths led to Merseyside Police sending an urgent message to domestic abuse victims and urged them to come forward. A fourth murder investigation was launched when a man was found dead in a house of multiple occupancy in Tuebrook.
Radway Road - Huyton
Merseyside Police received calls at around 8.30am on Wednesday, May 11, that the body of a woman was found inside a property on Radway Road, Huyton, close to the junction with Lyme Cross Road. Officers and paramedics attended but the woman, who had multiple stab wounds, died at the scene.
The victim was named locally as Lorraine Cullen, a 43-year-old mum who had lived in the area for a number of years. Merseyside Police confirmed her identity, said her next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers.
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder a short time later on York Road, just a short drive away.
He has since been detained under the Mental Health Act and police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
A sea of floral tributes, balloons and banners were left on the corner of the road in memory of the 43-year-old mum, who had lived in the area for a number of years.
One tribute said: "Will miss your smile + your voice always!! "
"Can't believe I'm never going to see you or hear your voice again. You were one in a million."
Another said: "RIP Lorraine. Love and miss you always xxx"
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information which could help us with our investigation, is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or call 101 with reference 22000322022.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
Vittoria Close - Birkenhead
Officers rushed to a flat block on Vittoria Close in Birkenhead at around 7.15pm on Thursday, May 12, following reports of a concern for the welfare of a woman. Once police and paramedics arrived they found Karen Wheeler, 62, who died at the scene.
Mark Wheeler, 51-year-old, was charged with her murder on Monday, May 16.
Karen's next of kin were informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A post mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of death.
Dozens of people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Karen following her death.
Wendy Gooley said: "My thoughts are with your family sweetheart, I pray they gather the strength to get each other through it. Taken too soon xx"
Kellie J Walsh said: "May you rest in peace absolute heartbreaking xx"
Anyone with any information which could assist police in their investigation is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 41 of Tuesday 11 January.
Newsham Drive - Tuebrook
Merseyside Police launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead inside a flat on Newsham Drive, in Tuebrook, at around 6.50pm on Sunday, May 15. Emergency services attended but despite the efforts of paramedics the man died at the scene.
A 56-year-old man from Tuebrook was arrested by officers at the scene on suspicion of murder. He has been taken into custody and will be questioned by detectives.
The man was named locally by shocked neighbours and friends as Derek Burns. The man’s next of kin have been informed and a post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.
One woman who lived next to Derek for several years paid tribute to her neighbour, who she described as "very nice and polite".
She said: "He was a very helpful guy who did our garden for us, always came over for a chat and we helped him out with some furniture for his flat. Always a very nice and polite guy who always had a smile on his face.
"I'm just shocked at what has happened."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with reference 991 of 15 May.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
Longmoor Lane - Fazakerley
Merseyside Police were called to Longmoor Lane, Fazakerley, at around 9.55pm, on Sunday, May 8, to reports a man had fallen from the window of a property. Paramedics also attended the scene and rushed the man, in his 40s, to hospital where he died.
Detectives have since arrested a 43-year-old man, who is known to the victim, on suspicion of murder. He has since been released under investigation.
It is believed that the man fell from one of the top floor windows of the house on Longmoor Lane. The home is reportedly separated into flats.
The ECHO spoke to residents, some of who witnessed the incident and were said to be 'shocked' by the death. One local said she heard two men 'shouting and fighting in the street' around the time of the fall.
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: "We are in the extremely early stages of an investigation, and I would appeal to anyone who has any information at all to come forward. Investigations are ongoing to establish exactly what happened and our officers are at the scene while we conduct house-to-house enquiries and gather information.
"If you saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in the area this evening then please let us know. Similarly if you were driving down Longmoor Lane and have dashcam footage then please review it and contact us if you see anything. All information you hold could be vital to our investigation."
Anyone who witnessed this incident, or with any information, please contact police via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ or call 101 with reference 22000315871.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information."
What ECHO readers have to say
ECHO readers responded with their shock and sadness on social media following the incidents this week. Ashley New said: "Been terrible in Liverpool past few weeks with all these murders."
Paula Lafferty said: "So many murders these past few weeks so sad."
Joanne Healy said: "Over last week there’s been so many murders it’s so sad to see."
Adam McRoy said: "What’s with all the murders lately? Can’t people stop killing each other? There’s some disgusting strange people out there."
