Police chief murders wife and daughter days after being sacked

Tobias Day, 37, left his two other children with serious injuries before killing himself, detectives believe.

The attack at his semi-detached home is believed to have been fuelled by his dismissal by Leicestershire Police last Thursday for misusing force computer systems.

Neighbours and colleagues spoke of their shock over the “respected” former inspector as police confirmed he was fired for “matters concerning honesty and integrity”. Day killed his teacher wife Samantha and his youngest daughter Genevieve, and attacked Kimberley, 15, and Adam, 13, before taking his own life. The two surviving children are in serious but stable conditions at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Residents on the Days’ quiet residential street in Melton Mowbray were said to have heard screams coming from their home. As officers said they were not looking for anyone else over the attacks, well-wishers laid flowers and balloons near the family home,.

Neighbour Gavin Lucas said Day was well-known in the area. He said: “I saw Toby out jogging and with his children. He was a good bloke, always said hello. I wouldn’t have expected this from him.”

Police were alerted to the attack at around 4:23pm on Thursday after reports the eldest daughter, Kimberley, had been injured. She was taken to hospital as officers forced their way into the family’s house to find the four remaining family members.

Ivan Stafford, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, spoke of his shock, saying Day had been “a very capable and respected inspector”. “It’s absolutely tragic what has happened,” he said. “We are more concerned for the two remaining children. Our thoughts are with the family.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is assessing the circumstances of his sacking before a decision is made over a formal external investigation. The police watchdog is not understood to have been told of any complaints to police surrounding the family’s welfare after Day’s sacking.

Reverend Kevin Ashby, of Melton Parish Church, said the vicar of Oakham Parish Church had visited the children in hospital. “All we can do is hope and pray that they won’t be left with too many lasting injuries,” he said speaking near the house. Melton is going to be very heavily hit by what they’ve experienced last night and this morning.”

Police officers were seen going in and out of the Days’ house on Robin Crescent yesterday. They also visited nearby Swallowdale Primary School, where Mrs Day worked as a teacher.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Hough, who is leading the investigation, sent his condolences to relatives. “I would ask anyone who spoke to Mr Day yesterday who hasn’t yet spoken with police to contact us,” he added.

A page on the Leicestershire Police website referred to Day’s former role as the commander of Beaumont Leys local policing unit (LPU).

Inspector Kev Morris, his replacement, recently wrote: “I intend to build on the good work that my predecessor Inspector Toby Day has achieved during his tenure at Beaumont Leys LPU.”

A Leicestershire Police statement added: “At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“Inquiries are ongoing, scene preservation remains at the address and post-mortem examinations will be carried out.”

Michael Jones, of East Midlands Ambulance Service, said officers were first alerted at 4:20pm to “an assault”.

“A fast response vehicle was first on scene within five minutes of the call being picked up in our control,” he said.

A card attached to a bouquet of flowers laid at the scene read: “To our nursery teacher Sam and our school friend Genevieve.

“You always made us smile.”