DETECTIVES probing last night’s murder of a 73-year-old man in Kingsteignton are checking links to a suspected suicide at a Teignbridge beauty spot.

Police revealed this afternoon they are looking at a possible connection between the fatal stabbing of a 73-year-old man in Chockland Road and the discovery of a man’s body in a Skoda car in the Labrador Bay area between Torquay and Shaldon this morning.

Earlier today police confirmed the suspected killer of the elderly man remained at large after the killing just after 9pm yesterday.

But at a press conference this afternoon they announced that 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 Mike West, Head of Major Crime and Serious and Organised Crime, told the Mid-Devon Advertiser this afternoon 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 after today’s discovery.

He stressed that 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 last night’s murder. Late this 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 yesterday.

‘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 yesterday and 11am today.

‘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 at Chockland Road just after 9pm.

He 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. 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.

One said: ‘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.

Det Chief Insp Roy Linden, Deputy Head of Major Crime said this morning: ‘We have launched a major investigation following the death of a local man last night.

‘We hope that the public will understand that this is a rapidly evolving situation, and at this time, the suspect remains outstanding.

‘Additional resources are being used from across Devon and Cornwall with the priority of identifying those responsible, and as a result the residents of Kingsteignton can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.

‘We would also take this opportunity to reassure everyone that this type of incident is rare.

Supt for South Devon, Jeremy Capey, said of the murder this afternoon: ‘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.