Family left stunned by father who turned killer

The father of the man thought to have killed his three children at a Shropshire beauty spot said 'he cannot begin to imagine' what was going through his son's mind.

David Fuller, father of Ceri Fuller, who is believed to have murdered his children Sam, Rebecca and Charlie in Pontesbury said that he had been left stunned by the tragedy.

"The Fuller and Tocknell families are devastated by this tragedy," he said.

"His (Ceri) relationship with each one of them was one of gentleness, involvement and attentive nurturing. Sam, Rebecca and Charlie were such charming individuals, brought up in an environment of love.

"We cannot begin to imagine what was going through the mind of this gentle man to drive him to such tragic actions."

Devastated mother Ruth Fuller said yesterday: "I don't have the words to describe how I feel at the moment. All I would ask is that I be left alone to grieve for my family."

Murder squad detectives have been trying to piece together the final movements of the tragic family.

Search teams were out yesterday covering land where the bodies of 12-year-old Sam Fuller, Rebecca, eight, and Charlotte, seven, were discovered in woodland on Pontesbury Hill on Monday morning.

Mr Fuller is thought to have stabbed the youngsters before leaping 65ft to his death from a cliff. Detectives have recovered a knife.

See also:

• Knife found at Shropshire murder scene

• Tributes paid to children found dead near Shrewsbury

• Three children found dead at Shropshire beauty spot