Police seek more time to quiz man over killing of mother and daughter

The bodies of Tracy Donnelly, 42, and her 23-year-old daughter Louise Donnelly were found at an address in Ironside Road, Hemsworth at about 7.40am on Tuesday.

Neighbours say they fear four-year-old Daniel Donnelly, who was seen wandering outside his house that morning crying, may have witnessed the murder of his mother and older sister.

Once the emergency services arrived he was carried away, wrapped in a blanket, and is now being cared for by relatives.

Post-mortem examinations took place yesterday to determine how the two women died, but the results had not yet been released last night.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “Police activity continues in the Ironside Road and Blackstock Road area in connection with the ongoing murder investigation and members of the local community are asked to co-operate with officers while these enquiries take place.”

It is thought that Tracy Donnelly moved with Daniel to Ironside Road around a year ago, after splitting from Daniel’s father.

Her daughter, who lived with her boyfriend Ricky Williams in nearby Gleadless, had been staying at the house in Ironside Road for about a week.

Louise Donnelly, a barmaid and waitress, had told colleagues at the New Inn pub where she worked that she was expecting her first child and had already bought things for the baby.

Landlady Jacqueline Woonton said: “She found out she was pregnant in January and was coming up for her first scan.

“She was wonderful with children and would have made a fantastic mum. I feel heartbroken, she was a lovely person.”

In a tribute to his girlfriend, Mr Williams wrote on his Facebook page: “Goodnight babe, love you always. You will always be in my heart. Save me a place up there, I know we will be together again one day.”