Brutal slayings shock town

Police and scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research remove evidence from the flat in which the dead couple were found. Picture / Mark Mitchell

They were an elderly couple finding love and companionship a second time round.

Widowed within months of each other, they became close five years ago and had been together since.

They spent their days socialising with friends in the small community of Feilding, near Palmerston North, eating dinner at each other's home and looking out for each other.

Now they are dead, brutally murdered at the weekend in a pensioner flat in Bowen St.

The bodies of Edward (Ted) Henry James Ferguson, 73, and Margaret Teresa Waldin, 76, were found in Mr Ferguson's home at the Rangimarie Flats on Sunday morning after a worried neighbour phoned the police.

The couple died some time after Friday evening. Police are describing the double slaying as a heinous crime but will not elaborate.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan would not say if a weapon was used or how the couple died.

"All I can tell you is ... that the two elderly victims, one man, one woman, have met a violent death," he said.

Autopsies will start today.

Police spokesman Jon Neilson said it could be a day or two before further details were released.

"I don't expect [police to say more] until they've had the scene examination and the post-mortem to determine exactly what the nature of it was and have some confirmation of what it was."

Mr Neilson said it was also too early to say if anything was missing from the flat.

Manawatu District Council spokeswoman Lorraine Vincent said only pensioners lived in the block of 14, one-bedroomed units.

She was not aware of any security issues and said the block had a "strong sense of community".

Police are reassuring Feilding residents that the investigation is receiving the highest priority. Thirty officers are on the case.

In the town yesterday, residents remembered a man who worked hard, loved a sing-along and telling yarns, and his "best friend", an Irish woman who enjoyed a flutter on the pokies with a glass of Chardon wine.

Mr Ferguson's step-daughter, Rosemary Blake, said the couple had become close companions after her mother, Silvia, died five years ago and Mrs Waldin's husband, Ken, died soon after.

"They were the best of friends," said Ms Blake, who is also Mrs Waldin's niece.

"They were very popular people and well known by everybody.

"I always called him Dad. He was a good stepfather," she said.

The couple had sat and joked with her at the Manchester Tavern last Friday night.

"Marge liked her Chardon. Ted always used to say that after she'd had her third she wasn't worth anything. He always joked about the Irish," Ms Blake said.

"I just feel washed out. I don't know what to think."

Mr Ferguson left the tavern that night before Mrs Waldin, who made the short walk back to the flat soon after.

A resident at the block called police after becoming concerned about not seeing the couple for a day.

Mr Ferguson was a hard worker and at 73 he was still chopping wood and doing the odd labouring job.

"People around here say if they get to whoever did it first there'll be nothing left," said resident Barry Thomas.

Ron Bolton, who had known Mr Ferguson for 30 years, said the pair were "lovely companions in their old age".

Another friend, Tim Donovan, said the couple would not have hurt anybody and had no enemies.

"He was a strong fella, a fit old bugger. They were both just lovely. They loved being together.

"It's bloody sick, it's sad."

Rosalie Lucinsky, who has lived in the flat next door to Mr Ferguson for four years, wandered out of her home yesterday afternoon looking bewildered. "I never heard a thing. I was home all the time.

"I've known Ted for four years. I'm in shock. It's just too hard to believe."

The murders follow the slaying six months ago of pensioner Mona Morriss, 83, in her home in Marton, 25km from Feilding.

Police have yet to find her killer but say it is too early to link the two crimes.

Environmental Science and Research scientists and a pathologist were at the scene yesterday.

Police interviewed neighbours and studied security camera footage from businesses near the units.

Mr Sheridan said a team of fingerprint technicians from Wellington had joined the investigation and another six staff from the Central District would be added today to the team on the case.

"We will be putting everything into this investigation over the next few days in our determination to find the people or person who committed this heinous crime."

- additional reporting: NZPA