A TRAGIC married couple found dead at home in mysterious circumstances by their distraught daughter were today described as “just wonderful people”.
Former rugby referee Steve Jefferies and wife Christine were discovered at their semi-detached home in Cardiff after neighbours grew concerned about not seeing them.
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They rang the couple’s daughter who arrived on Saturday to find both parents and their pet cocker spaniel dead from “serious wounds”.
Cops were called who cordoned off the home in the suburb of Trowbridge and launched an investigation into their “sudden deaths”.
The pairs’ next door neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “They were just wonderful people.
“He was a referee years ago. I had known them for 38 years. They were good neighbours and really good friends.
“We got on really well. They were really good when my wife died 18 months ago.
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“He was neighbourhood watch, and used to litter pick in the street
“We knew something was wrong because we all look out for each other in this little block here.
“We noticed something was strange that the curtains hadn’t been opened and that was it.
“We managed to get hold of their daughter and she came and went in.”
Today police tape surrounds the £200,000 property, while uniformed officers stood in position outside.
Three bouquets of flowers with notes of condolence had been laid outside the driveway to the house where Mr Jefferies’ blue Renault van remained.
A South Wales Police spokesperson said: “An investigation has been launched following the sudden death of two people at a property in Trowbridge, Cardiff.
“Emergency services were called to the house in Morfa Crescent, at around 2.50pm on Saturday.
“The local community is thanked for its patience and understanding while cordons are in place.”
The couple, both aged about 70, had two grown-up children,a son and a daughter, according to neighbours.
Mr Jefferies was a retired council worker and a former referee and assessor with the Welsh Rugby Union.
The couple had an allotment nearby where they grew vegetables and Mrs Jefferies carried on helping her husband with the weeding despite her failing health.
Another local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “They were a nice, quiet couple who always waved when they drove past me in their van.
“Jaffa got injured playing rugby when he was about 20 and took up refereeing and then became an official assessor looking at the performance of other refs.
“He was very well thought of in the game and only retired about five years ago. He worked for the council as a welder repairing bus shelters across
“My son was in the street when the emergency services arrived on Saturday afternoon, he said there were police everywhere but they got stood down when they realised the situation.”
