Man arrested after three bodies found in John Lennon's former home

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Liverpool on suspicion of murder after the bodies of a woman and two children were found in the former home of John Lennon.

Merseyside police opened an investigation after being called to a ground floor flat in Falkner Street, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday after concern for the safety of the occupants.

Officers said the investigation was in its early stages but they believed it was “domestic related”. They added that police were not looking for anyone else at this stage.

The arrested man has been taken to hospital after falling ill.

Neighbours said the property was regularly visited by Beatles fans on tours of the city as Lennon lived there with his first wife, Cynthia, shortly after they married. The flat was owned by the band’s manager, Brian Epstein.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “The tourist tours are always stopping at the house because John Lennon used to live there.”

He said a family with two young children had lived in the flat.

“I didn’t know them, I just knew there was a family living there. The children were toddler age.”

People in Falkner Street had been evacuated from their homes earlier on Tuesday night over concerns about a fuel leak. Police closed the street and urged people in neighbouring roads to remain inside and keep windows closed.

One woman said: “The police said we had a couple of minutes to get out of the house. There were ambulances, fire engines and police here. We weren’t allowed back in until about 11pm.”

On Wednesday morning, a police cordon remained in place outside the terrace house.

Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.