Fathers 4 Justice activist, 61, and wife, 29, are killed in double murder in their semi-detached bungalow on Father's Day after locals hear 'loud bangs' in early hours of morning - as police arrest man, 52, 'known to victims'
- Geoffrey Hibbert, 61, was killed alongside wife Michelle, 29, found dead at home
- Police believe they were murdered and have arrested and questioning man, 52
- Mr Hibbert carried out a Fathers 4 Justice stunt dressed as Batman on the M25
A Fathers 4 Justice protester who dressed as Batman to campaign to be able to see his daughter has been named with his wife as the two victims of a horrific double murder.
Geoffrey Hibbert, 61, was killed alongside wife Michelle, 29, at their semi-detached bungalow in Basingstoke, with neighbours saying they heard ‘loud bangs’ in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The couple had a young son aged around two living with them, according to locals.
Police today continued to question a 52-year-old man arrested in connection with the murders.
In 2008, Mr Hibbert scaled a gantry on the M25 while dressed as Batman as part of a Fathers 4 Justice protest and unfurled a banner with pictures of his eight-year-old daughter, bringing thousands of cars to a halt.
He was eventually arrested on suspicion of causing danger to road users.
Geoffrey Hibbert, 61, carried out a Fathers 4 Justice stunt dressed as Batman on the M25
Mr Hibbert alongside wife Michelle, 29, were found at their bungalow in Basingstoke
The couple had a young son aged around two living with them, according to locals in the area
Speaking at the time he said: “I cannot describe how not being able to see her makes me feel. If I had taken her away I would be in prison for kidnap but my ex-partner can do it and it’s fine. Where is the justice?”
A young woman living above a McColl’s shop at the end of the road, around 60 metres away from Mr Hibbert’s house, said she heard what she initially thought were ‘fireworks’ when she woke during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Caz Marshall, 21, said: “I heard it was Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert, from a neighbour who is in touch with an elderly woman who lives on the road.
“I thought I heard some fireworks when I woke up at around 3am on Sunday morning to go to the toilet.
“We had the windows shut so it was a bit muffled, but it sounded like fireworks.
“There were people saying it could have been a door being broken down, but there were four or five in quick succession.
In 2008, Mr Hibbert scaled an M25 gantry dressed as Batman in a Fathers 4 Justice protest
He was eventually arrested on suspicion of causing danger to road users by police at the scene
“It’s normally really quiet down there.”
On Sunday, June Nicholson, who lives on the same road as the victims with husband Danny, said: “I heard a bang in the early hours this morning, I think it was doors banging but it was hard to say.
“We didn’t think much of it then this morning we noticed we’ve got loads of police on our doorstep. It’s shocking really.”
A Hampshire police spokeswoman today said: “We are now in a position to release the names of the man and woman who were murdered in Basingstoke at the weekend.
Police and forensic experts investigating the double murders were still on the scene today
A 52-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody tonight
“Geoffrey Hibbert, 61, and Michelle Caroline Hibbert, 29, of Buckland Avenue in Basingstoke, were found by officers just before 2am on Sunday, 20 June.
“On Sunday, we arrested a 52-year-old man from Sherborne St John on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at this time.
“There will continue to be a police presence in the area over the coming days as we conduct enquiries in relation to this investigation.”
Chief Inspector Matthew Reeves said: “This is a shocking incident, and I understand that members of the local community will be concerned.
“We have a number of officers working hard at the scene, and there will be an increased police presence in the area.
“I want to reiterate that we believe all parties involved are known to each other and that there is no known threat to the wider community.”
