Haytor, scene of today's double death

Police have begun a murder investigation after a woman and her five-year-old son died at a popular Dartmoor climbing crag.

The 24-year-old and her child died after falling from Haytor Rocks in Devon about 11.50am today.

Dartmoor Rescue Group, an air ambulance, an ambulance crew and the police helicopter all attended the incident at the granite tor near Bovey Tracey.

Devon and Cornwall Police initially said they were treating the deaths as unexplained, but following the discovery of a two-year-old boy at a house in Paignton, the incident became a murder investigation.

The younger child was found at the home of the mother and son who died on Haytor.

The force’s major crime investigation team, supported by local officers, is looking into the circumstances of the deaths.

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: “We are keeping an open mind about all three deaths, but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information or might have been in the Haytor area earlier today, Friday.”

Police said post mortem examinations on woman and children will be carried out in due course and next of kin have been informed.

Haytor has more than 70 established climbing routes and is also a popular destination for walkers in Dartmoor.