The former partner of a killed mother described his dismay at being best friends with the man suspected of her killing for more than 40 years.

Ian Flitt, 50, of Howard Close, Braintree paid tribute to his ex-partner Ms Chambers, 38, who was killed in her home in Bartram Avenue, Braintree, along with her two-year-old daughter Shania on Monday.

The pair had remained friends and Mr Flitt said: “I had known Chrissy for about 17 years and we had been friends when we both lived in Witham.

“I really miss her she was an excellent mother to her kids and they were her life."

See this week's Times for full story