A pensioner has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife and daughter in Wath.
Peter Redfern, 70, appeared at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after the bodies of 67-year-old Jean Redfern and her daughter Sarah Redfern, 33, were found at a bungalow on Sandygate at around 7pm on Monday.
Postmortem results have revealed that Jean died of asphyxiation and Sarah died from severe head injuries.
A relative said in a statement: "Jean was a much loved sister and aunt. Sarah was a wonderful, kind and loving niece and cousin. We are at a loss to know why they died, but ask as a family that we are allowed to grieve and try to come to terms with what has happened."
Neighbours said the family had lived in the bungalow for 30 years and were very quiet but always spoke.
Another said Peter had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been acting strangely as a result of his treatment.
A spokeswoman for clothing firm Bonmarche where Sarah had worked in Rotherham town centre for nine years, said their thoughts were with her family and friends.
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe remanded Peter Redfern in custody until his next appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on August 7.
