Queensland Police say they have found “evidence of violence” as their investigation continues into the suspicious death of two people at Collingwood Park in a house fire this week.
A team of detectives from Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch, assisted by forensic, scientific and intelligence officers have joined officers from the Homicide Investigation Group to investigate the January 23 deaths.
“An Incident Centre has been established at Yamanto Police Station and the investigation code-named Operation Verdite,” Queensland Police said in a statement this afternoon.
“Extensive forensic examination of the scene continues, with the Hannant Street home still declared a crime scene as scientific officers continue their examinations. This is expected to continue into early next week.”
Police have confirmed that post-mortems have been conducted on the 68-year-old woman and the 73-year-old man, whose bodies were found inside the home.
“I am unable to go into details other than confirming their deaths are suspicious, and not contributable to the fire, with evidence of violence,” Queensland Police said.
“This is a complex investigation, in which all possible options as to the cause of their deaths, is being fully explored. We have ruled nothing out at this stage.
“Complex and detailed forensic examinations, as well as investigations and interviews by detectives will continue for some time and I do not anticipate being in a position to provide an update before the middle of next week, and this will be dependent upon the progress of the investigation.
“I understand the interest from the media and the community, and rightly so, however, to maintain the integrity of the investigation, I am unable to provide any further details or updates at this time.”
