A mother who is suffering ‘unspeakable tragedy’ after her three young children were killed by their father before he took his own life has told neighbours he was ‘depressed’.
Angelika Swiderska, who has been pictured for the first time today, is being comforted by her brother and sister-in-law as she comes to terms with what friends have called an ‘unspeakable tragedy.’
Her ‘depressed’ husband Piotr Swiderski killed the three boys at their semi-detached home in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, before taking his own life.
Angelika, who ran a local cake business, had recently returned to her native Poland to visit family and friends.
She told neighbours on her return about her husband of five years being ‘depressed.’
Police have confirmed they have had prior contact with the family in August 2023 and referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The bodies of the children – children Dominik, three, and two-year-old twins Nikodem and Kacper – were discovered at the weekend in the quiet suburban street.
Angelika Swiderska and her husband Piotr Swiderski, who was found dead on Saturday
Piotr Swiderski (right) with his children Dominik, three, and two-year-old twins Nikodem and Kacper, pictured at Southsea Castle in Hampshire
Piotr Swiderski with his three boys, all four of whom were found dead at home on Saturday
And Angelika said in a statement issued by Surrey Police today: ‘Piotr was an amazing husband and father to Kacper, Nikodem and Dominik. He loved us with all his heart and would have done anything for us. The children doted on their daddy.
‘Our boys were happy, active children, full of life and happiness. They were always smiling and even when I looked sad, they would say ‘Mummy, smile like us’.
‘We are grieving for them all and would like to ask for privacy as we try to understand why this tragedy happened.
‘I would like to say a huge thank you to all our community for all the messages of condolence, flowers, cards, and teddy bears and for all the kind words about our family.’
Police have said there was no third party involved and the cause of death of all three has not yet been revealed.
Post-mortems are due to be carried out on all three and an inquest will be held at a later date.
Angelika Swiderska pictured with husband Piotr Swiderski, who was found dead on Saturday
Angelika and Piotr are thought to have enjoyed a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic
Angelika and Piotr lived in a semi-detached home in Staines-upon-Thames
Angelika Swiderska with husband Piotr Swiderski, who was found dead on Saturday
Piotr is understood to have worked for his brother-in-law Sylwester Wegryzn who runs a mobile tyre replacement business in Slough, Berkshire.
The yard where Szol Tyres is based in nearby Iver remained closed yesterday.
A member of staff said Piotr had worked as a tyre fitter at the company but left several months ago.
He confirmed the company’s owner Sylwester was Angelika’s brother.
‘It is awful and we are just all in shock. Sylwester has not been in and we don’t know when he will be back,’ said a member of staff. ‘Piotr did work here but left some time ago.’
Slywester and his wife Zuzana are comforting Angelika with police also saying she is being supported by specialist officers.
Shocked neighbours of the family told MailOnline they heard ‘really loud screams’ around 1pm on Saturday shortly before police and paramedics converged on the house in Bremer Street.
Police on Bremer Road in Staines-Upon-Thames on Sunday after the four were found dead
Bunches of sunflowers, cuddly toys and candles have been left outside the property with tributes being paid to the three ‘sweet angels’.
One read: ‘We have no words but our thoughts and love our with you at this extremely hard time.’
The couple are thought to have been married in 2019, enjoying a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic before welcoming their eldest son Dominik the following year.
The young boys were said to have attended a nearby Catholic school called the Our Lady of the Rosary, with their mother running a cake baking business called Panda Sweet Corner.
Photos published on the business’s Facebook page show elaborate creations for birthdays and other special occasions.
Those living near to the family’s home in Staines, who are said to have moved in within the last year, said they had appeared ‘happy’ with sounds of childrens’ laughter always coming from their garden.
A police tent in the back garden of the property in Staines-Upon-Thames, pictured on Sunday
Police in Staines-Upon-Thames on Sunday near the home where the bodies were discovered
One local resident said: ‘I was in shock after getting back here last night. I do not know them, I only hear the noise in their garden. Recently that has been BBQs and lots of adult laughter.
‘I thought there were more than two families there, but I don’t think there was.
‘I don’t know them. There is a trampoline from the end of the garden which I can see from my window and sometimes you would get a lot of noise coming in, kids screaming with happiness.
‘Although their garden backs on to mine, I didn’t know them. I have heard that the mother went away to Poland for a week’s holiday and when she came back husband’s in depressed-mode.’
While many on the street did not know the family well, some would see the children’s mother taking them out and about in her car.
Piotr, according to social media, graduated from university in Krakow in 2017. That same year, he shared photos of himself and Angelika captioned ‘it’s worth driving many kilometrers to see her smile’.
DCI Gareth Hicks, who is leading the police investigation, said: ‘This is a truly tragic incident and a thorough investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened.
‘We would like to thank the local community for their support and understanding whilst we have been conducting our enquiries.’