A FAMILY who made a new life for themselves in Okehampton were left devastated this week after a tragic double stabbing involving a brother and sister in a house in the town on Sunday night.
Ilce ? known as Iko ? Vukov, 48, died at the scene from stab wounds. His sister Vanga Pollock, 52 is in a stable condition at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Both were well-known figures in the town.
Police said they arrived at the address to find a woman with stab wounds who had staggered out of the house into the street.
Mrs Pollock was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by the police helicopter, where she later underwent surgery in relation to her injuries but her condition is said to be improving.
She was still in hospital as the Times went to press but was expected to be discharged sometime yesterday.
Mrs Pollock suffered deep lacerations to her neck, face and arms.
Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, Mr Vukov died at the scene.
He had cuts to his neck, and arms, and the wrist area, resulting in the loss of a lot of blood said Det Inspector Chris Brown who is leading the enquiry.
Police say Mr Vukov and Mrs Pollock appear to be the only people involved. They are not looking for anyone else at this moment and are not treating it as a murder investigation
Police are investigating whether Mr Vukov?s injuries were self-inflicted or the result of a struggle.
Mrs Pollock was conscious when police arrived at her home, and was being aided by a neighbour.
Det Insp Brown said: ?If it hadn?t been for the prompt assistance by a neighbour she would almost certainly have died.
?This particular family is well known and well respected in the community and I think the loss in the circumstances which it happened will have shocked the community.?
Det Insp Brown said this sort of incident was ?very unusual? for Okehampton and across the force area as a whole.
Police forensic teams were at the property on Monday and house to house inquiries were carried out by officers that afternoon.
Police said they had recovered an object from the scene which was consistent with the injuries to both people. Among items recovered from the property was what was described as an ?old style razor?, but police could not confirm if this was likely to have been the weapon which had caused the injuries.
A post mortem examination on Mr Vukov?s body was undertaken at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple at noon on Tuesday. It revealed that he died as a result of an incised wound to the neck
Mr Vukov was married to Suzana with two sons, Kosta and Vlatko. Mr Vukov, who originally came from Macedonia arrived in this country eleven years ago. He previously worked in Cellars Bistro in the town which was run by his sister.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 08452 777444.