Father, 35, 'stabs his three young children aged 12, eight and seven to death in the woods before throwing himself off cliff at quarry'
- Officers found the bodies of Sam Fuller, aged 12 and sisters Becka, eight, and Charlotte, seven, this morning in a wooded area in Pontesbury Hill
- Father Ceri Fuller, 35, is believed to have died after falling from cliff nearby
- On Thursday Mr Fuller, vanished with his children from the family's home in Milkwall, Gloucestershire, that he shared with his wife Ruth
- Police believe deaths were the result of a 'tragic family situation'
- Officers have launched a murder investigation but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy
- Neighbour: Ruth Fuller was seen anxiously pacing up and down the road outside her home on the day her husband and children went missing
- Mr Fuller a molecular and cellular biology graduate, worked as a production supervisor at papermill Glatfelter, which manufactures tea bag paper
By JILL REILLY PUBLISHED: 13:40 GMT, 16 July 2012 | UPDATED: 21:09 GMT, 16 July 2012
Tragic: The body of father Ceri Fuller was found today at a quarry
Police hunting a missing father and his three children have discovered four dead bodies in a woodland beauty spot.Ceri Fuller, 35, left his home in Milkwall, Gloucestershire, with Sam, 12, Becka, eight, and seven-year-old Charlotte, known as 'Charlie', last Thursday.
The children did not attend school the next day and Mr Fuller also failed to turn up for work as a production supervisor at papermill Glatfelter in nearby Lyndey.
Officers from West Mercia police confirmed today that they had discovered the bodies of three children at Pontesbury Hill, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, 75 miles from their home. Police have launched a murder investigation but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.
Detectives believe the deaths were a result of a 'tragic family situation'.The alarm was raised when Mr Fuller's red Land Rover Freelander was spotted parked nearby. Mr Fuller is believed to have leapt 20m (65ft) to his death in a disused quarry called Poles Coppice.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, said: 'The bodies were discovered at around 10am in an old quarry within a wooded area at Poles Coppice.
'Although formal identification has yet to take place, it's believed the man is 35-year-old Ceri Fuller and the children, his son Sam, 12, and daughters Rebecca, eight, and Charlotte, seven.'I can confirm we are conducting a murder investigation and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. 'It appears to be a tragic family situation.
The children did not attend school the next day and Mr Fuller also failed to turn up for work as a production supervisor at papermill Glatfelter in nearby Lyndey.
Officers from West Mercia police confirmed today that they had discovered the bodies of three children at Pontesbury Hill, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, 75 miles from their home. Police have launched a murder investigation but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.
Detectives believe the deaths were a result of a 'tragic family situation'.The alarm was raised when Mr Fuller's red Land Rover Freelander was spotted parked nearby. Mr Fuller is believed to have leapt 20m (65ft) to his death in a disused quarry called Poles Coppice.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, said: 'The bodies were discovered at around 10am in an old quarry within a wooded area at Poles Coppice.
'Although formal identification has yet to take place, it's believed the man is 35-year-old Ceri Fuller and the children, his son Sam, 12, and daughters Rebecca, eight, and Charlotte, seven.'I can confirm we are conducting a murder investigation and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. 'It appears to be a tragic family situation.
Tragic: Charlie Fuller, seven and her older brother Sam, 12 playing together and Charlie, pictured again on the right. Along with their sister Becka, eight, (not pictured) they were reported missing last Thursday after disappearing with their father Ceri Fuller
'The four bodies were found within 30 or 40 yards of each other. At this stage, we are not saying if a weapon is thought to have been used or if any weapon has been recovered.
'We are anxious to trace the movements of a red Land Rover Freelander estate, registration CK51 YUV, which we believe was driven by Mr Fuller.
Angelic: Seven-year-old Charlotte Fuller, known as Charlie, pictured. She and her siblings left home with their father Ceri last Thursday and didn't attend school the following day
'This vehicle was reported being parked at the entrance to Poles Coppice about 300 yards from where the bodies were located.
'We believe it arrived at this point sometime since Thursday.
'We believe this vehicle left Gloucestershire at some point last Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.
Happier times: Mr Fuller pictured with his wife Ruth on their wedding day
'A Home Office pathologist Will be conducting post mortems to help establish the cause and time of death. These are likely to be carried out tomorrow or Wednesday.
'The deputy coroner for Shropshire, Mr Andrew Barkley has been informed and an inquest will open in due course.'
A molecular and cellular biology graduate, Mr Fuller vanished with his children from the family's £162,000 home, which he is believed to have shared with wife and the mother of his three children Ruth, 34. A neighbour said that he saw Mrs Fuller, who married her husband in 2009, anxiously pacing up and down the road outside her home on the day her husband and children went missing.
Mr Fuller's former landlord, who did not want to be named, said: 'He wasn't an aggressive man at all - his wife always wore the trousers, and they kept themselves to themselves.' Today officers from West Mercia police guarded the taped off entrance to the wooded area and four forensic vans parked in a small caravan park next to the entrance.
It was originally believed that the paper mill worker was taking his family for a trip to Barmouth or Harlech, north west Wales, where they had previously been on holiday. Mr Fellow's mother Geraldine, 64, and stepfather Geoffrey Petheram who live in nearby Blakeney, were too grief stricken to comment on the tragedy.
Ruth's parents Anne and Ronald Tocknell were not at their home on a leafy street in Lydney, Glos.
Grim: This picture shows the scene at the clearing in Poles Coppice near Pontesbury in Shropshire where police forensics put a tent over four blue body bags
Scene: Officers from West Mercia police confirmed today that they had discovered the bodies of three children at Pontesbury Hill, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, 75 miles from their home
Discovery: The alarm was raised when Mr Fuller's red Land Rover Freelander was spotted parked nearby. His body is believed to have been found at the bottom of a quarry nearby
A neighbour said he had heard the tragic news and suspected they had rushed to be at Ruth's side.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said two rapid response vehicles, an ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance based at RAF Cosford attended the scene.
Outpouring of grief: Tributes have been flooding in to the three children found dead at Pontesbury Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, flowers have been left near the scene of the tragedy
An ambulance service spokesman said: 'Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save four people found at the scene, and all four were confirmed deceased.' The Fuller family lived in a cream pebbledash semi-detached home in the village of Milkwall, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean.
Shocked next-door neighbour Peter Ayres, 52, said he saw Mrs Fuller looking worried and anxious after her husband and children went missing. The service engineer said: 'The last time I saw the wife was on Thursday morning. She was pacing up and down the road.
'At first I thought she was one of the village drunks but then I recognised her. I thought she might be waiting for someone.' 'I'd never noticed any odd behaviour before. The family never caused any trouble.
'I just can't believe it. You don't ever get that sort of thing happening around here, it's so quiet. 'They were a really quiet family who kept themselves to themselves.'
Sam, 12, attended Lakers School in Coleford and the girls Becka, eight, and Charlie, seven, went to the village primary school. The two schools that the three children attended also paid tribute.
Poignant: A police officer lays floral tributes from members of the public near the entrance to the forest on Pontesbury Hill, Shrewsbury, near to the scene where the bodies of three children were found
Tribute: A floral bouquet at a beauty spot where the three children were found
Respect: Tributes to the children have began since the tragic news
Mrs Jan Wagstaff, headteacher of St John's Church of England Primary, said: 'Rebecca and Charlotte were absolutely delightful children and a pleasure to have in school.
'Sam was also a pupil here before he moved on to Lakers. 'He was a lot of fun and always had a ready smile. They will all be very sadly missed. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with their family.' Alison Elliott, head of Lakers School, said: 'We are desperately sad to hear the family are having to face such a dreadful situation. 'Sam was a well loved member of our extended family here at Lakers.
'Our thoughts are with the family at this very tragic time. 'We have arrangements in place to support students, staff, friends and family at this very difficult time.'
Investigation: Officers from West Mercia police guarded the taped off entrance to the wooded area and four forensic vans parked in a small caravan park next to the entrance
The family moved into the house in July 2011 and were burgled around five months ago, according to neighbours. Other neighbours said they had never spoken to the family, despite living only a few doors away. One resident said: 'I seen them around, but never even said 'hi'. They seemed alright though, from the look of them.'
Gloucestershire Police issued an urgent appeal for Mr Fuller to come forward after he failed to contact his family over the weekend. Mr Fuller's disappearance was described as 'completely out of character' by officers - who confirmed that the family had no plans to go away. Desperate family members also appealed for information.
Ron Tocknell, Ceri's father-in-law, posted on his Facebook page: 'If anyone who knows Ceri has any idea of his whereabouts, please contact Glos. police immediately.
'We are all so worried.'
Enquires: A police car outside Mr Fuller's home in the Forest of Dean
Mr Fuller grew up in the Forest of Dean and attended Whitecross School in Lydney before taking A Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Biology & General Studies at Royal Forest of Dean College. He then studied Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Huddersfield.
Mr Fuller has worked for global business Glatfelter for the last 10 years in a paper mill seven miles away from his home. The company manufactures paper-based food and drink products. Two out of every three teabags used in the world is made by the company.
In statement, the West Mercia Police force said: 'West Mercia Police are investigating the deaths of an adult and three children after the discovery of four bodies in the Pontesbury area of Shropshire this morning.
'The bodies were found in a wooded area by a police officer shortly before 10am today. 'The deputy coroner for Shropshire, Mr Andrew Barkley, has been informed and officers have sealed off the area. Forensic examinations of the area will take place in due course.
Work: Mr Fuller has worked for global business Glatfelter for the last 10 years in a paper mill seven miles away from his home
'Next of kin have been informed but we are not naming the deceased at this time. Formal ID has not yet taken place.' A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said: 'Officers searching for missing man Ceri Fuller and his three children, from the Forest of Dean, have been made aware of the discovery of four bodies in Pontesbury, Shropshire, shortly before 10am this morning.
'While the bodies have yet to be formally identified, Mr Fuller's family have been informed of the discovery and are being supported by police Family Liaison Officers. The investigation into the deaths is being conducted by West Mercia Police.'
