'I lost the two most important and precious persons in my life at once that day'

Dad's tribute to youngsters killed by mum

- Sentinel Reporter

THE father of two children killed by their mother at their Stoke home has said he lost 'the two most important and precious persons in my life at once' that day.

Nathan John told of son Ethan’s love of hugs and his friendly nature, while daughter Elizabeth was ‘bright and bubbly’ and protective of her older brother, in pen portraits read out at their inquest.

Eleven-year-old Ethan and Elizabeth, aged seven, suffered fatal stab wounds at their home in Flax Road, Stoke, on June 11, 2023. Post mortems revealed Ethan received 21 ‘sharp force injuries, including wounds to his neck and chest. Injuries to his hands indicated he may have attempted to defend himself.

Elizabeth suffered a traumatic head injury and was found to have a skull fracture. Her main cause of death was a wound to the neck.

Mr John left the room at Stoke Civic Centre while details of his children’s post mortems were read out. He was also stabbed, at his workplace, by his wife on the same day she murdered their children.