Families of East Sussex couple pay tribute to ‘funny and loving pair’ | UK news

The families of a married couple who were found dead at their home have paid tribute to the “funny and loving pair” as a man is due to appear in court charged with their murder.

The bodies of Josh Bashford, 33, and 30-year-old Chloe were found at their home in Newhaven, East Sussex, on Friday.

Derek Martin, also known as Derek Glenn, 64, of Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, who police say was known to the two victims, has been remanded in custody to appear at Brighton magistrates court on Monday.

DCI Kimball Edey of the Surrey and Sussex major crime team said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of the two victims at this extremely difficult time. While our work to establish the exact circumstances of what happened are ongoing, we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the matter.

“I’d like to thank the public for their understanding and remind them not to speculate or comment on anything which could jeopardise our investigation in the meantime.”

A Sussex police spokesperson said that postmortem examinations had been scheduled to take place in the next week to confirm the causes of death for the couple. He added that the victims’ families were being supported.

On Sunday, officers had cordoned off part of Newhaven Cemetery near Lewes, close to the couple’s home.

Georgie Last, Chloe’s niece, posted an emotional statement on Facebook about her “beautiful auntie and uncle”, who she said were “amazing parents” to four children: “We will all do everything to make sure they are supported, loved, and looked after,” she wrote.

“Words can not begin to explain the pain we are all feeling right now. Never did we think we would experience heartbreak and pain like this.”

She described the couple as “the most funny and loving pair” who loved each other deeply, adding that she would always remember what a “crazy, loving auntie” Chloe was to her. “We all love you so much, for ever and always in our hearts.”

Jason Godden, Chloe’s father, posted two photos of the couple on Facebook with five love hearts as a caption, while her brother, Stephen Glenn, posted on social media that the couple had been “taken cruelly from us far too young”.

“Not sure how to process this pain and empty feeling in our hearts,” he wrote, adding that he would miss his sister dearly.

Also on Facebook, Simon Glenn wrote: “Still does not feel real, just can’t process it. My baby sister Chloe taken away from us way too soon. Such a gentle soul.”

PA Media contributed to this report