Leeds double murder: Schools left to mourn teacher and her little girl

The bodies of Sarah Laycock, 31, deputy head at Wheldon Infant School in Castleford, and Abigail Miller, eight, were found on Saturday.

Her younger daughter, who is four, was also at the property and suffered minor injuries which required hospital treatment.

Ms Laycock’s partner John Miller, 36, was arrested at a nature reserve several miles from their home in Kirkby Avenue, Garforth, Leeds, and is receiving treatment in hospital. He has been arrested on suspicion of their murder.

A police spokesman said post-mortem examinations had taken place on the two bodies but the cause of death would not be revealed until police had interviewed Miller.

Tracey Lake, headteacher at Wheldon Infant School, said: “We are extremely shocked and saddened by this tragic incident and our prayers are with Sarah’s family and friends.

“Sarah was a much-loved part of this school community and was highly respected by her colleagues and all the children. Her loss will be deeply felt throughout the school.

“The school is a very close knit community and we will all pull together to help each other at this very difficult time.”

Wakefield Council’s chief executive Joanne Roney said: “This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts and sympathies are with family members, friends, and colleagues at this distressing time. We will do all that we can to support both staff and pupils at the school.”

Jillian Sabourn, headteacher at Ninelands Primary School, where Abigail was a pupil, said: “Abigail has been with Ninelands Primary School since nursery. She was an absolute delight to have in the school.

“Abigail was clever, enthusiastic, hard-working in every aspect of her work and a role model for other children. She particularly enjoyed PE and dance.

“Abigail was a thoughtful child who would regularly help other children. The school are absolutely devastated she will no longer be with us.”

Two senior educational psychologists were at Ninelands Primary School yesterday working alongside the headteacher to support staff and pupils.

Parents were among those who paid tribute to Ms Laycock.

The mother of one pupil, who was laying flowers at the house with her five-year-old daughter yesterday, said: “Ms Laycock was a very, very good teacher. She was always there for the pupils.

“The pupils haven’t been officially told in an assembly but it’s known around the school and we wanted to come and lay flowers for her.

“It’s just shocking. She was my daughter’s teacher last year when she was in reception and this year she was made deputy head and year-two teacher. She will really be missed at the school by both pupils and staff. All the children loved her.

“What a horrible thing to have happened.”

Neighbours have continued to voice shock at the tragedy. Bill Rattray, 62, a semi-retired fridge engineer, said: “The first I knew were all the blue flashing lights on Saturday. The paramedics and police were in the house for about half-an-hour and then one of the paramedics came out carrying the little girl.

“She looked OK and was sitting upright just looking around at everything because there were so many police lights around that it must have been confusing for her.”