Sian Blake murder: News Shopper's round-up after bodies of ex-EastEnders actress and two young sons found in Erith

Three bodies were discovered in a makeshift grave at Sian Blake’s house in Pembroke Road yesterday (January 5), three weeks after she and sons Zachary Bilal Kent-Blake, eight, and Amon Ben George Kent-Blake, four, were last seen on Sunday, December 13.

Her partner and the kids’ dad Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, is being hunted by police – who have now launched a murder investigation.

Neighbours reacted in shock to the news of the gruesome deaths.

Susan Buck, 66, told News Shopper: “I think it’s terrible, what’s happened. She didn’t deserve that and neither did the two boys.

Picture: PA

“It just leaves a gutting feeling. I can’t really put it into words. Eight-years-old and four-years-old, what life did they have?

“I know she was ill and it was an illness that there was no cure for, and she hadn’t got long.

“But if it was just out of spite I think they should hang him, or whoever’s done it.”

Pharmacist Andrew Adeyeye, 45, told News Shopper: “She was a lovely lady. It’s difficult to get over. She came in with two lovely kids as well.

“The kids were very well behaved. I never knew she was a star or an actress or anything like that.

“She was happy, she wouldn’t moan or anything. It’s terrible, devastating.”

Sian used the local chemist for four years, but the last time her prescription was due it was her partner who visited the store.

Mr Adeyeye said: “The last time she picked here medication up, she didn’t come herself.

“He just came in normally. Now everybody’s looking for him. Why’s he running?"

Mr Adeyeye still holds out hope that the body found was not that of Sian, until she is formally identified.

Picture: PA

Sian was also a customer at the Bakery and Sandwich Bar, down the road, where she used to buy cakes for her boys.

Darryl Perry, who runs the shop, said when he heard the news: “I felt sick to the stomach.

“When you hear someone’s missing you assume the worst. But because they seemed nice it seemed like she had run off with the kids.”

The Northfleet resident added: “She was a really nice lady. I didn’t realise she was famous.

“He [Mr Simpson-Kent] was always a bit scraggy but the kids were always really well kept.

“She was a really nice lady. I didn’t realise she was famous.

“You know when you look at someone and you think ‘no, not him’?

“They just seemed nice - they were a lovely family.

“You could tell he was nice. You just don’t expect it, do you?

“I used to live in the house directly opposite. They are just huge gardens, they go down and then up at the back.

“It’s got so many houses overlooking that garden. God knows when someone did it [hid the bodies].”

Picture: PA

Mr Perry, 39, said: “It’s horrible. If it is him that’s done it, I hope he hasn’t done himself in.”

Police watchdog investigation

Today Sian’s aunt, called Terry, told the Evening Standard: “The police did take a long time to find the bodies and the family want answers.

“Officers are probably trying their best and we know it is difficult but we want a full investigation.”

She added of her sister: “Sian’s mum is obviously very upset. The police are coming to visit the family today.

"I didn’t know Sian’s partner much - but they obviously need to find him quickly.”

Tributes have now been left outside the family home

The Met have now referred themselves to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), for investigation.

A spokesman said: “An initial review has highlighted some potential issues regarding the handling and grading of the missing persons investigation.

“The Directorate of Professional Standards was informed on Monday, January 4 and is working with the investigation team to fully understand the timeline of police interaction with the family.”

Where is Mr Simpson-Kent now?

Fears have since been raised that Mr Simpson-Kent fled to Ghana, according to the Sun.

A Met Police spokesman confirmed this is "one line of enquiry".

Another spokesman said: "Our efforts are continuing to find Arthur Simpson-Kent. Our appeal is to anyone who may know his current whereabouts or can assist us in finding him - we do need to speak to him as a matter of urgency.

"This is now a murder investigation and as such I'd urge anyone who can help our investigation to contact us on 020 8721 4805."

What do we know about Sian?

Sian played Frankie Pierre in EastEnders between 1996 and 1997.

She also appeared in episodes of The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and Skins.

She suffered from motor neurone disease - a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord - and was reportedly looking "very frail" before she vanished.

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A mum-of-two and neighbour, whose son used to play with Sian’s boys, said she visited the former actress in October after seeing an ambulance outside her house.

She said: "She was very frail. She was unable to hold the plant I bought her.

"At that time she did not know what it was [her condition]."

Timeline of events:

Sunday, December 13 – Last sighting of Sian, Zachary and Amon in Waltham Forest.

Wednesday, December 16 – Last sighting of Arthur Simpson-Kent at his home in Pembroke Road, Erith, when he was spoken to by police.

Between December 16 – 18 – Sian, Zachary and Amon reported missing.

Mr Simpson-Kent is also reported as a high-risk missing person.

Friday, December 18 – Police force their way into the Erith bungalow over reports of concern for Mr Simpson-Kent.

Friday, December 31 – Met Police release missing persons’ appeal for Sian, Zachary and Amon.

Sunday, January 3 - Sian's car is found in Bethnal Green.

Monday, January 4 – Murder squad detectives take over case.

Tuesday, January 5 - The bodies of Sian and her two children are found in the back-garden of their family home.

Mr Simpson-Kent is still missing.

Wednesday, January 6 (today) - A post-mortem and formal identification of the bodies is due to take place.