Detectives today revealed why it took them several hours to discover the bodies of a couple stabbed to death by double-murderer Jason Prentice.

The bodies of Jane Phipps and Steven Keyes lay undiscovered at Miss Phipps' flat in London Road, Westcliff, despite police being called to the address the night before.

They went to the flat after receiving a call from Prentice's father Colin, who claimed he had overheard his son tell his wife Tilly: "I've really done it this time. I'm looking at 25 years. I have got to run away. I have killed them."

Two officers went to the flat but when they couldn't get any reply and saw no sign of a disturbance, they went on to another incident.

It was not until 8am the next day that the bodies were discovered - by members of Prentice's family.

They went to the flat to find out for themselves what had happened because the police had not found anything.

After spending time outside contemplating what to do, Prentice's brother Aaron went inside and saw the body of a man slumped against a wall. He found the woman's body on the bed.

The family immediately phoned the police again to report the grim discovery.

Det Chief Insp Alan Hurley of Southend police said the initial call did not lead police to believe there had been a serious incident at the address.

He said: "Suffice it to say, we have the recording of the telephone conversation which was made. The officers attended accordingly to the information they received.

"Mr and Mrs Prentice may have a view on what should have been done on what they think they said.

"We have spoken to and got an independent witness statement from a neighbour who says they saw and heard the police loudly banging and calling out at the address.

"At that stage there was no indication for them to suspect there was anyone in the premises.

"Quite clearly we cannot go breaking someone's door down on the threat of insufficient information."

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