Man charged with murder of nurse and her two children

Nurse Anju Asok, who worked at Kettering General Hospital, and her two young children were found with serious injuries

A man has been charged with the murder of a nurse and her two young children.

Saju Chelavalel, 52, was arrested by Northamptonshire Police at his address in Petherton Court, Kettering, on 15 December.

Nurse Anju Asok, 35, and her children Jeeva Saju, six, and Janvi Saju, four, were found at the property with serious injuries. They were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary but died a short time later. Postmortems showed they died as a result of asphyxiation.

Ms Asok was an internationally trained staff nurse at Kettering General Hospital, where she worked on an orthopaedic ward.

A committed and compassionate staff nurse loved and respected by friends and colleagues

Hospital chief executive Deborah Needham said: ‘She was a committed and compassionate staff nurse who was loved and respected by her dear friends and colleagues. All our thoughts are with her friends and family as they come to terms with this sudden loss.’

Her colleagues are being offered appropriate support by the hospital.

Mr Chelavalel appeared at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court this morning. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Northampton Crown Court on 21 December at 10am.

Senior investigating officer detective inspector Simon Barnes said: ‘Our thoughts continue to be with the family of Anju, Jeeva and Janvi, who we are determined to seek justice for.’

Flowers and soft toys have been left beside a police cordon next to the address where they were found.

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