A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of three men in their 80s were found in Exeter, police said.

The deaths are being treated as suspicious and have been formally linked, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The body of a man aged 80 was found by police at an address in Bonhay Road at around 3pm on Monday.

Exeter murder inquiry
Floral tributes left outside an address in Cowick Lane (Ben Birchall/PA)

At 1pm on Tuesday 12 February, officers were called to a property in Cowick Lane, nearly a mile-and-a-half away, after the bodies of two men, aged 84, were discovered.

Police arrested the 27-year-old man Tuesday and he remains in custody.

One neighbour in Cowick Lane said the two men found dead were twins.

Superintendent Matt Lawler, the local policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon said: “I know that this news will cause significant and understandable concern and is an unprecedented event in our city which has shocked us all.

Exeter murder inquiry
A taped off window at one of the houses (Ben Birchall/PA)

“While a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to these incidents, we must keep an open mind and avoid speculation as we are still in the very early stages of what is already a complex investigation.

“It is vital that anyone who has any information shares with us it as soon as possible.”

Police urged anyone in the area of Bonhay road and Cowick Lane between 8am on Sunday 10 February and 1pm on Tuesday 12 February to get in touch.