BEST friends Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent pose behind their booth selling candy for charity hours before they were brutally killed.
The couple, both 11 years old, invited to a table of treats on Saturday to raise money for cancer research after meeting a local patient – but that night their overnight stay ended in bloodshed.
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Late best friends Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent, both 11, were pictured behind a booth on Saturday to raise money for cancer research just hours after they were murdered
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Lacey’s mother Terri Harris (35) and her brother John (13) also died during the bloody nightPhoto credit: Facebook
Lacey’s caregiver mother, Terri Harris, 35, believed to be pregnant, and her brother John, 13, also died.
All four are believed to have been killed in their beds at the Semi in Killamarsh, Derbys.
The 31-year-old suspect Damien Bendall was arrested on the property and taken to hospital with “self-inflicted minor injuries”, the police said. He was later released from police custody.
Last night, when questioned further, details came out about the hours that led to the gruesome deaths.
Connie had arrived at Lacey’s Saturday afternoon and the friends were starting to set up their fundraiser. They drew posters and hung a flyer on a jungle gym in the nearby park.
The duo then searched Terri’s kitchen cabinets for supplies, stacking lollipops, cookies, chewing gum, and even a movie night cupcake set on the living room table.
‘Thank you for your support’
The price list said cheekily: “Half the money goes to cancer research.” It continued: “Lollys = 10p, Soreen = 20p, sugar-free lollys = 5p, Bubble Gum = 20p”, shortbread was 50p.
Proud Terri went to an online forum for Killamarsh to say the kids were inspired by a local superstore employee with cancer.
She wrote: “My children have collected some money and want to put it in the ladies box.”
One resident replied, “My niece bought you a couple of lollipops, they were very pleasant and polite. A real honor for you. ”Another wrote:“ I met the girls too. They were very nice to raise money for cancer research. My husband enjoyed his cookies. “
Terri replied, “I want to thank you all for your lovely comments. The children will be out in the park or Chandos Crescent tomorrow – thank you very much for your support. “
Later that night, neighbors heard screams in the house before everything went quiet. One said, “I don’t think anyone thought of calling the police. They arrived around 7:30 a.m. the next day and were escorted by an ambulance. They found the bodies inside. It must have been awful. “
I got to know the girls too. They were very nice to raise money for cancer research. Hubby enjoyed his cookies.
A resident
Officials combed parklands yesterday and picked up drains in search of a weapon. Forensic tents were set up.
A sea of floral tributes grew. Terri’s friend Claire Beardow said, “You have been loved by so many people. It still hasn’t sunk in and my stomach feels sick. “
Claire Greensmith said, “I can’t believe you left ..”
Diane Bennett, the inconsolable grandma of Lacey and John, said, “These are innocent little things. I just wish we could have done more. ”The children attended Outwood Academy City in Sheffield. A statement said: “Our hearts are broken. The children had a bright future. “
It added that Lacey and Connie “have already made a positive impression” having recently started at school. It was said that John was “a popular and polite” one.
Police requested video footage of the area between 6 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday, including a dash cam, cell phone, CCTV or video doorbell. A GoFundMe page for the victims’ families had raised more than £ 15,000 last night.
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The couple sold candy after meeting a local sufferer, Pictured are Debbie and Trevor Bennett, the grandparents of two of the victimsPhoto credit: PA
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In Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, a sea of floral tributes grew near the scenePhoto credit: PA
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Suspect Damien Bendall, 31, was arrested on the property and rushed to hospital before he was later released into police custodyDad shares a heartbreaking video of children ages 11 and 13 who were “murdered” with mom and buddy on an overnight stay when a man was arrested
