
A 23-year-old homeless man who was taken in by a woman and given a job by her husband has been charged with attacking and killing her and her 13-year-old son at their gated family home.

Former ballroom dancer Tracey Wilkinson, 50, was pronounced dead inside her £440,000 detached property in Stourbridge, West Midlands, while her company director husband Peter, 47, was found in the garden with stab wounds to his chest and back.

He is continuing to fight for his life and is understood to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The couple's teenage son Pierce died in hospital. It has since been claimed that the alleged killer may have been given a home by the family just before Christmas and was also offered a job at Mr Wilkinson's firm.

Friends suggested the Wilkinsons had been taking in 'down and outs' and police say they are probing the claims as a 'line of questioning'.

This afternoon Aaron Barley, of no fixed address, was charged with murder and attempted murder.

Mr and Mrs Wilkinson also have an 18-year-old daughter, Lydia, a first-year biology student at Bristol University who was not at the family home at the time of the attack. She is keeping a vigil at her father’s bedside at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Today a poignant tribute was left at the scene that read: 'I can't believe your act of kindness has ended this way.'

A mother and her 13-year-old son were knifed to death and the boy's father left fighting for his life after an attack at their home. The family have been named as Peter Wilkinson (right), his wife Tracey (not pictured) and their son Pierce (left). Mr and Mrs Wilkinson's daughter Lydia (centre) is studying at Bristol University and was not believed to have been home at the time

Nothing could be done to save Mrs Wilkinson (left and right with her husband) and she was pronounced dead at the scene

Dashcam footage has captured a double murder suspect speeding away from police after allegedly killing a mother and son

The suspect allegedly stole a car from the scene but was caught half an hour later after crashing it as police were in pursuit. Officers are today continuing to question a man in his 20s who was arrested on suspicion of murder

A Land Rover stolen from outside the home was intercepted by police around 30 minutes later in Norton Road and a man in his 20s arrested on suspicion of wounding

A mother and her teenage son have died after a stabbing attack on a family of three at their home this morning (pictured)

Today a poignant tribute was left at the scene that read: 'I can't believe your act of kindness has ended this way' (pictured)

The suspect allegedly stole a car from the scene but was caught half an hour later after crashing it as police were in pursuit. Detectives have ruled out the knife rampage as part of a burglary or a robbery.

Yesterday friends of the family from Stourbridge, West Midlands, told how the ‘good Samaritan’ couple had been looking after a beggar for around a year, after meeting him when he was out on the streets.

Mr Wilkinson is thought to have found the unidentified man work at his engineering firm, while the couple helped him with clothes and food to get him ‘back on his feet’.

A close friend of Mrs Wilkinson fought back tears as she described how the respected family’s generosity even extended to setting up the individual in a flat.

She added: ‘They not only helped a homeless person with cash, they found him a roof over his head, a job and even fed him.

‘When I asked Tracey about why she was helping this chap, she said she just wanted to give something back. That was the warm, compassionate person she was. Pierce was a lovely, well mannered boy. If the family went out for a meal, he would pull the chair out for his mum.’

Neil Robinson, who went to school with Mrs Wilkinson, said he believed that she had been helping 'down and outs' in the area and had recently offered to let a man stay at their home, according to the Daily Telegraph.

He said: 'I heard she had been helping some down and outs or less fortunate people and put one up at her house and it's one of them.'

Tory councillor Colin Elcock told how the Wilkinsons had taken in a young man since Christmas and had proudly claimed he was making great progress.

They said they were also were party volunteers who had been leafleting ahead of the West Midlands mayoral election.

He said: 'They took in a homeless person who was a local and Peter found him a job at his company. Tracey certainly looked after him with food and that kind of thing and Peter was very pleased to say they were helping him become a member of society again.

‘They were just a decent family all round. It is a measure of the family that they would do such a thing for a stranger. To learn Peter is now lying in a hospital bed and his wife and son have been killed is shocking. It is beyond belief.’

The councillor described Mrs Wilkinson, a 50-year-old former ballroom dancer, as ‘lovely’ and ‘full of kindness’. A member of staff at the couple’s local pub, the New Inn, said Mrs Wilkinson used to work in a rehab centre supporting people with drug and alcohol problems, but Mr Elcock thought she had latterly been a homemaker.

Another employee at the pub said: ‘Peter and his daughter would come around two or three times a week, they were inseparable.’

A police officer collects flowers from a member of the public and lays them down at the scene (left). The public have been leaving tributes as well (right)

A private ambulance arrives at the house to take away the body of Tracey Wilkinson, with a police tent set up at the family home

The family's greyhound is removed from the property and put in a van, while CCTV officers also take CCTV evidence from the house

A police officer removes a hamster in a small cage from the house following the shocking incident

Yesterday dozens of Pierce’s friends from Redhill School in Stourbridge arrived at the family home – a Victorian former school building – to lay flowers and ties in memory of their classmate.

Headteacher Stephen Dunster described the teenager as ‘loyal and caring’ and said he was devoted to his pet greyhound, Mandy.

The dog, which survived the carnage, is being looked after by the Retired Greyhound Trust in Birmingham, from where the family had rescued the dog.

Emergency services were called to the Wilkinson's home just after 8am yesterday. Mrs Wilkinson and her son were found inside the house and her husband injured in the garden.

Mrs Wilkinson was pronounced dead at the scene while her teenage son suffered critical stab injuries and died later in hospital.

Mr Wilkinson, who runs Hill and Smith, a firm that manufactures safety barriers, suffered stab wounds to his chest and back and remains in hospital.

A Land Rover stolen from outside the home was intercepted by police around 30 minutes later in Norton Road and a man in his 20s arrested.

Among dozens of bouquets of flowers left outside the victims' home was one with a note saying: 'To my mate Tracey. Only the good die young. I'm going to miss you so very much.

'I can't believe your act of kindness has ended this way.

'Love you sweetheart. From Jo xxxx'

A woman delivers flowers to the Wilkinson's home following the tragic incident, left, containing a heartfelt tribute describing them as an 'amazing family'

Forensics at the scene of a property where three members of the same family were stabbed (pictured left). The couple have been named locally as company director Peter Wilkinson (right), 47, and his 50-year-old wife Tracey

Neighbours said the couple were a 'nice normal family'. A couple who lived a few doors down told how they used to see Mr Wilkinson walking his greyhound along the street.

A man, who didn't want to be named, added: 'Peter and Tracey have lived there for about seven or eight years.

'They've got a son who is 13 and a daughter who is in her first year at Bristol university.

'We know them to talk to and say hello to. We would see Peter walking his greyhound along the road and he would always stop to talk.

'They were a nice, normal family. They were lovely. We used to go to the same pub as them up the road and they were very friendly.'

His wife added: 'I think Tracey was a housewife and Peter was a company director. He was always travelling.

'Their parents were interested in buying our old house when we sold it a few years ago so they came around.

'They invited us into their house and it was beautiful inside, they have done it up really well.'

Neighbour Maggie Panes, who lives opposite the Wilkinson's home, said: 'We know them to talk to and by name but we don't socialise with them.

'It's absolutely tragic, my heart goes out to them. What sort of person can do this? What's happened in that house?

Police are pictured at the property with forensic teams after a family of three were brutally stabbed yesterday morning

This map shows where the stabbing took place (circled in red) and where the Land Rover crashed (circled in white)

Police and ambulance were called to the property in Stourbridge, West Midlands (pictured), just after 8am where a man, woman and a boy were found with serious stab wounds

A Land Rover stolen from outside the home was intercepted by police around 30 minutes later in Norton Road and a man in his 20s arrested

'It wasn't a burglary so it's not like it could have happened to anybody but it doesn't make it any less tragic.

'My husband saw the police, ambulance and helicopter and then he was walking along Norton Road and saw the car being pursued by police.

'I saw them come out of the house with two of them on stretchers and you could tell it was serious because the emergency services were running.

'She (Tracey) was so thrilled and excited about the house. She showed me around the house once and they'd had the kitchen done and she was thrilled.

What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking Superintendent Lee Kendrick

'Tracey is very striking to look at. She was very tall, very slim, very glamorous with dark hair.

'She used to do ballroom dance to quite a high competitive level. I don't think she was professional. But she was very good.'

Mr Wilkinson's parents John and Wendy, both aged 72, were not in at their detached house in nearby Kingswinford, West Midlands today.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said he believed they had been at the hospital most of the day.

He said: 'Their world has just come tumbling down. They are completely heartbroken. They are a retired couple and Peter was their only son.

'He would come round with the family and the dog, who I think is called Mandy and they appeared so close-knit and happy all of the time.

'They just looked in a state of utter shock this morning. I don't think they can comprehend what has happened, how could you?

'They have lost a grandson, a daughter-in-law and are now facing the prospect of losing their son.

A suspect is currently in police custody and will later be questioned on suspicion of murder and wounding

The Land Rover was recovered from Stourbridge in the West Midlands this afternoon as police remained at the scene

A Land Rover stolen from outside the home was intercepted by police around 30 minutes later and a man in his 20s arrested on suspicion of wounding. A damaged police van is pictured

'We just pray he pulls through. It's truly awful what has happened and every family's worst nightmare.'

Dudley Police Superintendent Lee Kendrick, said: 'What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking. Police and ambulance were confronted with an awful scene: a man, woman and boy all with very serious stab injuries

'The woman and boy were found in the house and the man in the garden.

'Tragically there was nothing that could be done to save the woman – and her son later died in hospital from his injuries. Our hearts go out to the victims’ family and friends at this devastating news.

'Clearly our investigation is at a very early stage but we understand the suspect was known to the family and may have been living at the address – although he is not a family relative. We don’t think this was a burglary or a robbery.

'Our investigation is progressing at pace and we are working to understand exactly what the relationship was between the man and the family. At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.'

A woman, who asked not to be named, who knew the family, said: 'They were a really happy family.

'I saw Peter and his son in the local pub a couple of weeks ago playing pool and enjoying themselves. Peter would be in there most Friday nights for a couple of drinks.

'Tracey was tall and slim, she looked like a model. I can't believe what's happened. We're all in shock.'

Colin Giles, who lives a few doors up from the couple, said they were a 'smashing' family.

He said: 'When they go away they'll often ask me to collect their parcels for them.

'They're a very nice couple, smashing really, and very neighbourly.'

Another resident, who doesn't wish to be named, said there were several police cars as well as helicopters surrounding the area at 8.30am this morning.

She said: 'I heard all the sirens this morning and then I went outside to see what was going on.

There was nothing that could be done to save the mother and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensics are pictured

A forensics tent can be seen at the property in Stourbridge in the West Midlands where a family of three were stabbed today

Police have arrested a man in his 20s following the brutal stabbing attack this morning. He will be questioned later today

A huge emergency response team was sent to the family's aid including two air ambulances, two land ambulances and a paramedic rapid response vehicle. Forensics teams are pictured at the scene of the double murder today

'There were about five police cars as well as unmarked police vehicles, ambulances and two helicopters.

'It's a nice, quiet, residential road we're all really shocked. I understand the car crash on the Norton Road is also connected, I'm just concerned for the people's safety.'

A huge emergency response team was sent to the family's aid including two air ambulances, two land ambulances and a paramedic rapid response vehicle.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff it became apparent at the scene that nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed deceased.

'The teenage boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and received specialist trauma care and advanced life support from our staff.

'He was taken on blue lights to Birmingham Children's Hospital with treatment continuing en route.

'Sadly, shortly after arrival in A&E and despite the best efforts of ambulance staff and hospital medics, he could not be saved and he was also confirmed dead.

'The man, who was conscious, was also in a serious condition as a result of his stab wounds and was alerted in to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance.'