British murder suspect 'feared losing kids'

Photo / Supplied

Two children found dead in their mother's car appear to have been smothered and possibly drugged, according to a post mortem report released today.

Fiona Donnison, 43, is believed to have killed Harry, three, and Elise, two, and driven to confront her husband, Paul, at the family home they once shared. It is understood that the bodies of the children were in the boot of the car as she drove.

A window at the property was smashed before Ms Donnison tried to commit suicide, reports the Telegraph. When the attempt failed, she went to a Heathfield police station in East Sussex in a distressed state and asked police to search her car, reports Sky News.

Police then went to Mill Close where the car was parked, and broke into Ms Donnison's silver Nissan only to find the bodies of her two children in the large holdalls of the boot.

Chief Superintendent Robin Smith said he could not disclose how the children died but officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

"This is a very tragic incident, but I would like to reassure people that it is fully contained and there is no threat to anyone in the area," said Chief Inspector Julia Pope.

Ms Donnison, a former Lloyds syndicate worker, was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital with "apparent self-harm injuries", say British news media.

It was revealed yesterday that police had "previous contact" with Ms Donnison and her estranged husband before the alleged murder.

Sussex Police confirmed today that officers had been in contact with the family "within the last few months". A spokesman said the nature of the contact could not be revealed but that it would be "reviewed in liaison with appropriate agencies," reports timesonline.co.uk.

Although they would not detail the nature of those dealings, police did say it would be reviewed to help inquires.

Past neighbours said the couple were living together until they separated and their house was put up for sale before Christmas.

The Nissan was towed away for analysis and a cordon was in place around the family's three-storey detached house with a "sold" sign outside in Sheepsetting Lane, close to where the car was parked.

A house in Lightwater, Surrey, where Mrs Donnison recently moved following troubles in her marriage, was also cordoned off.

An East Sussex County Council spokeswoman would not disclose whether the dead children were known to their child protection team.

Ms Donnison also has two teenage sons.

- NZ HERALD STAFF, INDEPENDENT