The son of two well respected teachers found stabbed to death in their south Croydon home has been charged with their murder.
Danny Dighton, 34, who shared the Campden Road maisonette with his parents, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with two counts of murder.
His father, Barry Dighton, 61 and mother Elizabeth, 60, were found dead in their home at lunchtime on Wednesday after a neighbor, who heard screaming coming from the house, called the police.
One Campden Road resident said: “It is terrifying to think this all happened here.
"It’s mainly just old people who live here but there are a few young families.
"We didn’t know the couple but they seemed like nice people.”
Neighbour Alex Thorne, 33, said: “The police were here all night.
"When it happened an air ambulance landed in Lloyd’s Park but it was too late to save anyone. This is a friendly neighbourhood.”
Police said the couple, who had both worked with Danny at nearby Elmhurst School for Boys on South Park Hill Road, had been stabbed to death.
Danny Dighton had been working as a teacher in Thailand but recently returned, telling friends it hadn’t worked out.
An inquest into the deaths of the couple was expected to open and be adjourned today.
Danny Dighton has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on January 8, 2010.
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