TRIBUTES have been paid to the 73-year-old Kingsteignton murder victim who has been named locally as Peter Freeman.

Residents in the Chockland Road area have spoken fondly of the ‘really nice bloke’ who lived with his wife at the property where his life was brutally ended at the hands of a knife-wielding killer on Sunday night.

Neighbours have reported hearing a disturbance at the address shortly after 9pm when Mr Freeman was stabbed repeatedly by his assailant who remains at large.

Police investigating the tragedy are, for the moment, looking at a possible link to the suspected suicide of a man found in a blue Skoda Fabia in the Labrador Bay area towards Shaldon. His body was discovered yesterday (mon) morning just hours after the murder.

The detective leading the hunt for the runaway said the link was being made because the car death was reported near the place of the murder – and at about the same time.

Det Chief Supt Mike West said there was no immediate connection between the tragic pair.

It’s understood Mr Freeman had just retired from work in the building trade.

The South Devon coroner, Ian Arrow, has been informed of both deaths.

Inquests are expected to open soon into both deaths where formal evidence of identity is likely to be submitted. Full inquests will be held later in the year.

At at a press conference yesterday (mon) afternoon detectives confirmed the Labrador Bay death may be part of the same inquiry, although initial inquiries suggested there was no demonstrable association between the stabbing murder and the possible suicide.

Det Supt West, Head of Major Crime and Serious and Organised Crime, told the Mid-Devon Advertiser afterwards that there appeared to be no apparent ‘prior connection’ between the pair,

although the man found in the car had yet to be formally identified.

‘We don’t know the man or his age,’ he said.

He stressed inquiries were at an early stage – and that it made ‘investigative sense’ to look for any possible link based purely on the fact the two tragedies were uncovered in the same area and over a similar time period.

‘We have launched a major investigation following Sunday night’s murder. Late on Monday morning we were also made aware of a body of a man found within a car near Labrador Bay, Shaldon,’ he said.

He confirmed: ‘This car death is not currently being treated as suspicious and we are responding to the incident as a suspected suicide.

‘We are currently investigating the link between this and the incident in Chockland Road, Kingteignton.

‘At this time we are appealing for witnesses - and we would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Chockland Road between midday and midnight on Sunday.

‘We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Labrador Bay in Shaldon and saw a blue Skoda Fabia between midday on Sunday and 11am on Monday.

‘Anyone with any details that could assist police with their investigation is asked to call 101 or email [email protected] quoting log number 836 of June 9.’

The Kingsteignton murder victim suffered multiple stab in the attack and was rushed to Torbay Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

It’s understood the gruesome attack – with no motive yet uncovered - was executed on the doorstep of the man’s home. Unconfirmed reports suggest his wife may have witnessed the assault.

An elderly woman was seen screaming in the streets in a distressed state shortly after the episode.

At least 10 patrol cars raced to the murder scene after receiving their first 999 call at 9.20pm on Sunday. Armed officers were among those responding to the shout.

The road was immediately sealed off with local residents and taxi drivers quizzed about the bloody and shocking episode. House-to-house inquiries have been carried out.

One resident: ‘This has dumbfounded everyone. We can’t believe it has happened. Everyone is panicking about it.’

Police stressed that no one else had been harmed during the incident.

Supt for South Devon, Jeremy Capey, said of the murder: ‘Understandably, this incident will cause much concern and upset amongst our local community.

‘Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family during this time and we will continue to support them, providing as much assistance as we can.

‘A number of police officers and specialist resources will remain visible at the scene and around the wider Kingsteignton area as officers continue to investigate this heinous crime.