News

RESIDENTS in Darfield have spoken of their shock after a murder investigation was launched in the village.

Chantelle Barnsdale-Quean, 35, was found dead by police at her ground-floor flat on Upperwood Road at about 4.20pm on Monday.

Her husband, Stephen Barnsdale-Quean, was also found with stab wounds and taken to hospital. He was arrested at the scene and charged with her murder.

The couple were understood to have moved to Upperwood Road from Springfield Crescent in November and had two young daughters.

Neighbours John Lacey, 83, and wife Margaret, 81, often had the two girls at their house when they came to play with their grandchildren.

"He kept himself to himself and wasn't one for chatting," said John. "He seemed a nice enough young fella to me. When the police told me there had been a murder, I just thought 'I hope it's not one of the girls', because they're such lovely children."

Margaret saw the crime scene unfold.

"I saw the ambulance responder come and I thought someone in one of the upstairs flats must have been ill. But then all these police cars arrived - I've never seen anything like it in my life - there were so many."