Man charged with double murder of ‘deeply loved’ elderly couple in ‘petrol bomb arson attack’ at their home

A man has been charged with the double murder of a ‘deeply loved’ elderly couple in an arson attack at their home.   

Grandparents Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, were killed in their family home in South John Street, St Helens on Tuesday 15 July.

Lee Owens, 46 years, of no fixed address has been charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Saturday July, 26.

This follows the arrest of a 31-year-old man from St Helens on suspicion of murder on Sunday. 

He was conditionally bailed after questioning.

Merseyside Police previously confirmed an accelerant had been used to start the blaze in South John Street at around 12.40am on Tuesday last week.

A statement shared on Thursday, paying tribute to the couple said: ‘Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple.

Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson, (pictured) were killed in their family home in South John Street, St Helens on Tuesday 15 July

Police at the family home of Mr Greener and Ms Jackson following the suspected arson attack earlier this month 

Ms Jackson was described by her family as a ‘deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie’

The family shared tributes to the couple along with pictures including of Mr Greener enjoying a drink at the pub 

‘They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday.

‘They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.’

Det Supt Rachel Wilson, senior investigating officer, previously said: ‘Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.

‘Extensive inquiries continue, and to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.’

Pictures of the couple, including one showing Mr Greener with his arm around Ms Jackson, were released by their families through the police last week.

Det Chief Insp Steve McGrath described the attack as ‘sickening’ and ‘a truly shocking incident’, adding everyone in Merseyside would be ‘utterly appalled’ at what had happened.

The ‘lovely couple’ had been together for 30 years and have left an ‘incredibly close-knit’ community struggling to come to terms with their sudden deaths.

Merseyside Police previously confirmed an accelerant had been used to start the blaze in South John Street at around 12.40am on Tuesday last week (Pictured: police at the scene of the arson attack)

Neighbours described feeling ‘raw’ and being ‘all gutted’ by the tragic event.

The couple, who were parents and grandparents, had been living in the property for 15 years before their deaths.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Merseyside Police by calling 101, quoting incident reference 25000580909, or through social media on X @MerPolCC or on Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre.

Information can also be given through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.