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Garage bodies formally identified Mother's tribute to 'princesses'
(about 4 hours later)
A father smothered his daughters before hanging himself at a car garage in Hampshire, police have confirmed. A mother has paid tribute to her two "princesses" who died when they were smothered by their father, who then hanged himself.
Post-mortem results on Tuesday showed that Ellie Cass, aged three, and Isobelle Cass, aged one, had died as a result of asphyxiation from smothering. Police have confirmed that David Cass, 33, died of strangulation while Ellie Cass, aged three, and Isobelle Cass, aged one, died of asphyxiation.
Their father David Cass, 33, died as a result of strangulation. All three bodies were found at Paynes Road Car Sales in Paynes Road, Freemantle, Southampton, on Sunday.
Police were called to the rear of Paynes Road Car Sales in Paynes Road, Freemantle, Southampton, on Sunday evening where they found the bodies. The girls' mother, Kerrie Hughes, 20, said her babies were "just beautiful".
It was understood that Mr Cass, of Paynes Road, had threatened to commit suicide in a conversation with the girls' mother Kerry Hughes. In a statement released through Hampshire police, Miss Hughes said: "I would like to say thank you to all my friends and family for their support and condolences but as you will understand it is a hard time for us and we all are trying to deal with it as best we can.
David Cass and Miss Hughes had split up after a "stormy" relationship, said their friend Emma Timberlake. "Everybody who knew my babies knows just how beautiful they are and that they are and always will be princesses, in everybody eyes especially mine.
Kerrie Hughes, mother of Ellie and Isobelle Cass
"I would also like to tell every mother that no matter what is going on or how busy your days are, to tell your babies how much you love them and what they mean to you with a hug and a kiss too, everyday."
Post-mortem results released on Tuesday confirmed the identities of the victims.
It was understood that Mr Cass, of Paynes Road, had threatened to commit suicide in a conversation with Miss Hughes.
Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Formal identification of the bodies took place at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. In the statement, Miss Hughes' uncle, Grahame Hughes, said: "This whole situation seems almost unreal to us, we are all quite numb over what has happened. It is as if time has stopped.
"We are all very upset and this is a difficult time. We also feel very much for Dave's family too who are going through the same sort of thing.
Forensic science officers have been examining both the caravan and the inside of the garage, which was cordoned off just before 1900 BST on Sunday.Forensic science officers have been examining both the caravan and the inside of the garage, which was cordoned off just before 1900 BST on Sunday.
Mr Cass's manager at the garage, John Martin, told BBC News that the MOT tester was devoted to his daughters, who lived in Elderberry Close, Fair Oak, Eastleigh.
He said: "That's all he talked about in here. He didn't want to live without his girls, I suppose, but I just took it as Dave being a little bit down."