Neighbours say they are still in shock after an elderly couple who were "backbones to the community" were brutally attacked in their own home.
Ken Walker, 88, remains in hospital in a critical condition while his wife Freda Walker, 86, died as a result of her injuries.
The couple had been married for 60 years, always living at the same address in Station Road, Langwith Junction, the same house they were attacked in on Saturday, January 15.
Officers described the killing as "an act of horrendous cowardice", having previously said that a "significant level of violence" had been used during the attack - a murder investigation has been launched.
A man who lives across the road from the couple, but wished to remain anonymous, said: "It’s been terrible, a nightmare. We are missing her every day that goes by. They were private people but they would help you with absolutely anything.
"Me and my wife used to go on bus trips with them to Skegness and other places. These last few days have been a nightmare. I haven’t put flowers down yet as I can’t bring myself to do it, I need to get my head around it first.
"We can’t get it out of our minds, what has happened. They are good people. I just wish I had a time machine so I could go back and make sure none of this ever happened."
Jackie Morton, who is ‘Shirebrook born and bred' and works in a local pub, said: "It’s a strange time.
"A lot of the regulars who are a bit older are worried and of course they are going to be.
"It’s a big, big thing that’s happened and it is a concern. There’s a lot of rumours and gossip going around, but nobody knows exactly what happened just yet.
"It’s horrific, of course it is."
Laura Dales, 44, from Shirebrook, said: "I didn’t know the couple personally, but I’ve heard about what happened - I think everyone has.
"It’s a lot quieter around here today I’ve noticed, apart from obviously on this street.
"It’s like everyone is a bit on edge.
"It is worrying when you think about what has happened."
Another of the couple's neighbours told Nottinghamshire Live: "We've not been told much by police, just to stay away from it all.
"My wife is really, really upset by it all - she was a good friend of Freda. She is devastated."
In a press conference on Tuesday, January 18, Assistant Chief Constable Dave Kirby described just how important Ken and Freda were to their community.
He said: "It's tragic for this to happen to anybody, but doubly so given that Ken and Freda are and were a real backbone here.
"They've done so much work for the good of other people and that's what their lives were about.
"They were married for 60 years and for all of that time lived in this house. Freda was fit and well up until this incident, even at 86 years old, she was a member of local clubs including a knitting club and her whole career was in that textiles industry.
"Ken was a pit man, a staunch labour supporter, he was a member of the council for 21 years and gave so much to that - serving actively on many committees, raising money as they both did for local charities to make life better for people.
"He is still a member of the council now, albeit not serving. In recognition of that he was offered an honorary alderman title at the end of last year.
"So for this to happen to a couple like that who've given so much to the community is doubly tragic."
He continued: "We're following a number of significant lines of inquiry, [there's] lots of work to do, a huge amount of dedicated resources in order to do that.
"Ultimately, there's someone out there who is responsible for this tragedy - an act of horrendous cowardice and they're currently loose.
"They're currently out in the community. I'm not suggesting that people are now in danger of another attack or anything like that.
"But I am saying we need to get hold of those people straight away."
Police are exploring similar incidents and whether they may be linked to Langwith - including a vicious burglary in Trowell earlier this month where an elderly couple were also targeted.
Police were also seen continuing the investigation in Trowell on Tuesday morning.
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