A serial killer who is believed to have murdered two couples in the 1990s could be on the loose, according to a confidential coroner's report.
The report - leaked to The Sunday Times - refers to two cases in particular from the '90s. The first took place in 1996 when elderly couple Howard and Bea Ainsworth were found dead in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
A few years later in 1999 and a similar murder was committed, that of Donald and Auriel Ward. In both murders, the victims were found dead in their beds.
Other similarities included knives left in the bodies and head injuries. Added to that, both women were found with their nightdresses lifted.
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Initially, it was thought the husbands had murdered their wives before killing themselves. But now, with the cases having been re-investigated with modern tech, they are thought to be double murders.
The 179-page document calls for the National Crime Agency and Interpol to look again at cases both in the UK and Europe to see if there are any more similar killings.
"This individual will not stop killing until someone or something stops him," it reads.
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The report - which was written by Stephanie Davies, the senior coroner's officer for Cheshire - also refers to a further three cases which should be reviewed.
The killings took place in 2000, 2008 and as recent as 2011. All three seem to have similar circumstances and took place in Greater Manchester and Cumbria.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson told The Sunday Times: "We are in receipt of the report and it is being reviewed.
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"This is a piece of research which has been undertaken by the staff member, independently.
"As with any case that has been closed, where new information comes to light it is reviewed and acted upon if appropriate.
"We have notified Greater Manchester Police and Cumbria constabulary."
Featured Image Credit: PA