RESIDENTS of one of Newcastle’s most prestigious neighbourhoods have told of their horror at learning their street is at the centre of a murder probe.
The peace on Adderstone Crescent, in Jesmond, was shattered on Saturday when emergency services were called to a block of flats after a man’s body was found inside.
A 43-year-old named last night as David Kochs, from Gateshead, was pronounced dead at the scene and police arrested two men. The suspects, aged 45 and 39, were questioned on suspicion of murder before being released on bail. Yesterday uniformed police officers continued to guard the entrance to Dulverton Court.
Admin worker Raquel Hernandez, 39, who lives in Dulverton Court said: “A police woman came round and asked if I had seen or heard anything weird.
“I would never have thought it would be something like murder. Now I’m really scared.”
A retired GP, who lives across the road from the flats, said he knew something serious had happened when he saw police forensics vans arrive on Saturday afternoon.
The man, who did not want to be named, said: “I realised there was something going on over there at around 1pm.
“There were two or three police cars and an ambulance. Then the white vans arrived and it was quite clear the forensic teams were very busy. They were here until around 10pm on Saturday and then came back on Sunday morning.”
The neighbour also said there had been some strange behaviour at the flats in the run-up to the man’s death.
“Most of those flats belong to young professionals or elderly couples,” he said.
“One of my neighbours that lives over there says the chap that died had not lived there that long, possibly just months. He said he had observed him barefoot outside the front of the building, which is, of course, odd behaviour.”
Police say the dead man and those arrested knew each other and that the public should not be alarmed.
Supt Paul Orchard, of Northumbria Police, said: “Although this may cause concern for the local community, I want to reassure residents that there is no risk to members of the public.
“The incident happened inside a property and those involved are believed to have been known to each other.”
Doctor Emma Terriere, 41, who also lives in Dulverton Court, said: “This is not the sort of thing you expect to happen round here, it’s quiet here.
“I searched for a long time to find somewhere quiet like this to live.”
This is not the sort of thing you expect to happen round here, it’s quiet here
