Mother's friend tells of 'abuse' after family of four found dead

A MAN is believed to have killed his former partner and two children before taking his own life.

The body of Aram Abdul Razaq Aziz, 32, was found at Watermead Country Park in Leicester on Friday evening.

His former partner, Joy Small, 24, was found along with their son, Aubarr Aziz, three, and daughter Chanarra, two, at a flat in Jersey Road in the city - about two miles from the park.

Leicestershire Police yesterday named the family, while a close friend of Ms Small claimed Mr Aziz was an "abusive monster".

A police spokesman said: "The deaths of the woman and children are being treated as suspicious. Inquiries are at an early stage, but officers are not looking for anyone else at this time."

The spokesman confirmed police had previously been involved with the couple, but would not give details.

He said discussions had been held with the Independent Police Complaints Commission as to whether the case should be referred to them.

Jennie Bland, 27, a close friend and neighbour of Ms Small, said Ms Small had previously split up with Mr Aziz, then the women fell out when the couple got back together.

She said: "She was such a good person, she was a fantastic mum. She would have died for those children."

She said she fell out with Ms Small in November when she found out she had taken him back.

She said Ms Small, originally from Sheffield, kept it a secret, amid fears her children would be taken from her if anyone knew they were back together.

"She got back with him after being so strong," she said. "We fell out because she got back with him. I couldn't just sit back and let it happen.

"I should have just gone on my instincts and told the police and social services."

Ms Bland described the man as an "abusive monster", adding: "I knew what he was like, I met him a few times, he didn't like me because Joy could be herself when she was around me.

"She got back with him after being so strong after he poured petrol on her and tried to set her alight. He beat her all the time, he poured petrol on her, he threw a mirror at her son.

"He tried to stop her seeing her friends, that's why he didn't like me," Ms Bland said. "He was an abusive monster."