Leicester nursing home murder probe: Police name dead residents

By Derren Hayes on November 9, 2007 in Legal, Residential care

Police have named the two residents found dead in suspicious circumstances at the Hayes Park Nursing Home in Leicester earlier this week.

Rashni Badiani, aged 56, and Radhaben Chauhan, aged 72, were found dead in the room they shared at the home shortly before 4am on Wednesday November 7 by staff conducting a routine check. A murder investigation has been launched.

Leicestershire Police said a 19-year-old local man subsequently arrested on suspicion of murdering the two women is still being questioned. Officers have yet to confirm the causes of death, but have said Badiani suffered severe head injuries in the attack.

Chauhan had been a resident at the home since December 2004 and Badiani since August 2007.

In a statement, Chauhan’s family paid tribute to a “beautiful, bright and warm person”.

It continued: “We cannot believe what has happened, we are still trying to come to terms with the fact that we will never get to see that beloved smile again.”

Detective Superintendent Chris Thomas, who is heading the investigation, said enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths were continuing.

“Initial results of the scene examination and evidence gathering leads us to believe that someone gained entry to the women’s bedroom from the outside via a ground floor window. We are awaiting the results of further post mortem tests to confirm the cause of death for both victims and we are hopeful that the results will give us a clearer picture of the circumstances which led to the deaths,” he added.