Man charged with double murder after man and woman found dead at Huddersfield house

A man has been charged with double murder after a man and woman were found dead at a house in West Yorkshire.

Marcus Osbourne, 34, of Harpe Inge, Dalton is due to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court charged with the murder of Katie Higton, 27, and Steven Harnett, 25, from Huddersfield, overnight between Sunday (14 May) and Monday (15 May).

Police were called to a property on Harpe Inge just before 10am on Monday where the two victims were confirmed to have died at the scene. Paramedics were called to the house after the pair suffered multiple injuries, but sadly could not be saved.

West Yorkshire Police said in statement on Wednesday: “A Kirklees man was due to appear before magistrates today charged with the murder of a man and woman from Huddersfield.

“Marcus Osbourne, 34, of Harpe Inge, Dalton, was to appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Katie Higton, 27, and Steven Harnett, 25, at an address on Harpe Inge between Sunday May 14 and Monday May 15.

“He was also charged with assaulting and detaining a second woman against her will in the property on the night the murders took place. Inquiries into the offences remain ongoing by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.”

Mr Osbourne has been charged with the murder of Ms Higton and Mr Harnett and has also been charged with assaulting and detaining a second woman against her will in the property on the night the murders took place.

Formal post mortems are yet to be carried out, but both victims had received multiple injuries believed to have been inflicted by a bladed weapon, the force said. Specially trained officers have been supporting the families of the victims and ask for their privacy to be respected at this “dreadful time”.

On Tuesday (16 May) the former brother- and sister-in-law of Ms Higton paid tribute to her as “the best mum” and said the family was “absolutely devastated” as they placed flowers on behalf of her two eldest children at the scene.

Her former brother-in-law, who asked not to be named, said his brother had been in a relationship with mother-of-four Ms Higton 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”, and described Ms Higton as “bubbly, outgoing, fun” and “a great mum”.

West Yorkshire Police said enquiries into the offences are ongoing and the force is appealing for anyone who saw “suspicious activity” at the property to contact police.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had received a mandatory referral and was still assessing the situation. A spokesman said: “We have received a mandatory referral from West Yorkshire Police linked to the suspected murder of two people in Huddersfield.

“This is due to the fact officers had contact with both victims, and a man who has since been arrested on suspicion of murder, in the days prior to this tragic incident. We will now assess the available information to determine what further action may be required. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these events.”

Anyone who can assist 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 online at westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Additionally, information can be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.