A MAN suspected of murdering an elderly couple whose bodies were found in a house fire has died.

Police were waiting to speak to Norman Williams after firefighters found Dennis Jefferson, 76, and a woman believed to be his wife Sheila, 73, dead in a burning bungalow on Saturday.

A post mortem confirmed the pair, who lived in Maybush Drive, Chidham, died from head and neck wounds and officers launched a murder investigation. It is believed they were beaten to death and the house was set on fire.

Mr Williams – Mrs Jefferson’s 70-year-old brother-in-law - was found some 60 miles away at a house in Rotherfield, near Crowborough, that same day. He was taken to hospital in a critically ill and treated for severe burns. But last night he was pronounced dead.

Detective chief inspector Tanya Jones, from Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "The information we have so far had led us to treat Norman as the suspect in our investigation. He has since passed away in hospital. We do not have any information that there is anyone else involved."

Yesterday a neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the moment he desperately tried to rescue the couple.

He told how he squeezed into their back garden during the fire to try and get inside, adding: "I was screaming and banging on Dennis and Sheila's front door.

"I went round the side of the house and screamed their names. Then I ran back inside and grabbed a ladder to try to get into the back of their house.

"I managed to squeeze through into the back garden without the ladder.

"Their conservatory was totally alight and the back door was open. But the smoke prevented me from doing anything. I felt sick.

"We then waited for the fire engines - it was like waiting for a kettle to boil.

"I was standing there helplessly."

The couple, who both leave behind children from previous relationships, had been married for more than 30 years.

Neighbour Ann Hill said: "They were two of the nicest people I've ever met and I was lucky enough to know them for 30 years.

"It's so sad. They wouldn't argue with anyone, everyone on the street can't believe what has happened.

"All of their neighbours loved them and they were so kind and generous."

Police are continuing to investigate the deaths and have asked anyone who saw anything suspicious between 9am on Friday and 8.35am on Saturday when the fire started to call 101 quoting Operation Glengarry.