A grandfather from Deptford and his nursery worker daughter were found murdered in a scene "like a horror movie".

Noel Brown, 69, and his daughter Marie, 41, were found dead in his home in New Butt Lane in the early hours of Monday morning.

The pair were found after a tip-off when neighbours called police concerned about their neighbour.

FROM MONDAY: Deptford murder: Police find father and daughter's bodies inside house

Marie, who was a crèche leader at a primary school in nearby Nunhead, is understood to have two daughters aged nine and 18, one of whom suffers from autism.

News Shopper: The scene (SWNS)

Friends said Noel, who liked to gamble in nearby Paddy Power and Ladbrokes, was known as a "quiet and nice bloke" who "wouldn't hurt a fly".

One woman, who refused to be named, said: "There are a lot of crackheads around here.

"I heard some petrified screaming but didn't really think anything of it, I just closed my window and went back to sleep.

"I was told it's like a horror movie in there, really gruesome.

"Noel was really nice though, very polite. He liked a gamble and a drink but he wouldn't hurt a fly.

"He used to hang around outside the bookies with a group of guys I haven't seen for a while."

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Noel Brown

Shocked neighbours heard screams on the night of the double murder and one saw a red car speeding away from outside the house.

Collette Lavelle, 46, who has lived on the estate in Deptford for 25 years, said: "I heard some screaming at two in the morning.

"There was just screaming. I shut my bedroom window and went back to bed, because you hear it so often.

"It's a regular thing to get up, shut your windows.

"It's nothing like they were messing about. It was like proper screaming. It was like a petrified scream."

She said she could not tell if it was a man or woman's voice, adding: "I am not sure.

"It was two, three in the morning. I was ready to go back to sleep."

A friend, who knew Noel from Paddy Power, said: "Noel liked to bet on horses, he was a really nice bloke, very quiet."

On Tuesday morning a team of around 15 forensics were seen taking shovels, a tent and lights to a garden area around the property and searching bins.

Detectives have so far spent two days relentlessly trawling through Noel's apartment for evidence.

Police are continuing to appeal for information.

There have been no arrests at this time.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, leading the investigation, said: “I am asking the public to assist police by providing information relating to those coming and going from the New Butt Lane address. 

“Noel Brown had a significant routine and at this stage it appears that he was not seen after Thursday, November 30.

"I would like to hear from anyone who either saw Noel in the week leading up to his death, or who has information concerning anyone who visited him at home. 

“Similarly, anyone who can provide information concerning the movements of Marie Brown is asked to call our incident room. 

“No matter how insignificant or small a detail it may seem, any information will assist my team in piecing together the events leading up to this tragic incident.” 

If you have any information that will assist the investigation, call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.