Man's house 'trashed' days before he died alongside partner in 'frenzied attack'
A man who was killed in a suspected double murder had his house trashed days before the "frenzied attack".
Steven Harnett, 25, was named as the man found at a property in Dalton, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire yesterday morning.
A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
It is believed he was living in a house half a mile away which was “trashed” just days earlier.
Today a police officer stands guard outside the semi-detached house with rubbish strewn across the property and windows smashed in.
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Neighbours told the Mirror they heard shouting outside the flat last Friday and saw it all "kicking off".
Steven Harnett was named as the man who was found dead at a property in Dalton, Huddersfield on May 15Steven’s neighbour Sam Stubbs, 43, said: “It’s like something from a horror movie. You don’t know who is living next to you, do you?
“It’s horrible and it hasn’t sunk in yet.”
She told the Mirror how Steven had been causing some issues locally.
“I heard someone shouting from Steven’s flat last Friday. It started kicking off and his windows were put in. Then his bins were pushed over.
Katie Higton was named as the woman found dead at a house in Huddersfield yesterday (Ben Lack Photography Ltd)“It wasn’t the man who they’ve arrested though for the murders."
The neighbour added that they always saw Steven "hanging around with a gang of young lads".
Another neighbour told the Mirror: "He had a heart of gold. He was always outside his house."
It is unclear why the property was trashed.
Flowers left at the scene in Huddersfield (PA)Katie Higton, 27, was also named as the woman found at the same address Steven was found.
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Her former brother-in-law, who asked not to be named, left flowers at the scene today and said his brother had been in a relationship with Katie for seven years and was the father of her two oldest children, daughters aged nine and 10.
He told the PA news agency the children "were in the property when the incident took place". He described her as "bubbly, outgoing, fun" and "a great mum".
Forensic officers are at the scene today searching the garden with sticks. A bunch of carnations have been left with a card saying "for my mummy".
Police remain at the scene today (PA)The mental health nurse had been out to the cinema the night before while her mum stayed home to watch the kids, locals told the Mirror.
A local said: “Apparently it was a frenzied attack. It’s just shocking and I can’t get my head around it.”
Tributes left at the scene described Katie as an "angel".
One read: "To Katie, RIP my darling we love you no more suffering, remembered always."
A second said: "Katie, I am so sorry for how things have ended I can't believe it."
A third added: "RIP angel, memories forever, treasured forever and never forgotten."
Police outside a second property in Huddersfield (Yorkshire Live)Neighbours today told of their shock at the grim incident after emergency services flooded the street yesterday.
One said: "I really can't believe it. This area 20 odd years was unpleasant, but over the last decade or so it's gone really nice.
"You don't expect a murder in your street, certainly not a double murder.
"I'm shocked, but it makes sense because there were forensic vans, and an air ambulance and it was swarming with police yesterday."
Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This has clearly been an exceptionally serious offence and I can promise residents that a full investigation is ongoing into the murder of this man and woman.
“We are conducting extensive enquiries at the scene and at other locations in the Dalton area as we investigate the circumstances of what took place.
He added: “I am appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity overnight or this morning at the property on Harpe Inge to contact us.
“Residents in the nearby area will also note an increased police presence on their streets and I want to reassure them and the wider community we are doing all we can to bring persons responsible for this offence to justice.”
Anyone who can assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101 referencing police log 408 of 15 May.
Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
The Mirror contacted West Yorkshire Police for further comment.
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