Bodies of mother and son found

Police have launched an investigation after finding two bodies with gunshot wounds which may have lain undiscovered for days.

Officers believe the pair - found in a house in Pitsea View Road, Crays Hill, Essex, on Monday night - were a mother and son.

Police were called after reports the occupants had not been seen for several days.

They found the bodies of a man in his 30s and a woman in her late 70s.

An Essex Police spokesman said the deaths were being treated as suspicious.

He added: "At this time, police are not seeking anyone else in connection with this incident, however a detailed forensic examination will be taking place to establish the exact circumstances of both deaths."

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hall said: "We are investigating the circumstances leading up to the deaths of these two people, who have not been formally identified, but we believe them to be mother and son.

"We believe that they may have been dead for some days and need to speak to anyone who has been in the area of Pitsea View Road recently and has any information that can help us with our inquiries."

Essex Police said detectives were not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.

A detailed forensic examination is being carried out to establish the circumstances of both deaths.