Neighbours heard couple who were found dead on Boxing Day in suspected murder-suicide rowing just hours earlier – as harrowing details emerge of blood-soaked crime scene

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A couple found dead on Boxing Day in a suspected murder suicide were seen rowing hours before they died as it emerged police have found a bloodied kitchen knife.

The bodies of Kevin Armstrong, 53, and Pauline Cockburn, 48, were discovered at around 3pm at his home in Heiton, outside Kelso, Roxburghshire, on Tuesday.

But three hours earlier Armstrong, who was described as 'violent' by one local, was seen storming from his partner's house after a series of noisy rows on Boxing Day.

The usual 'bubbly' Ms Cockburn was also not herself when she was seen by a friend on Christmas Day and left abruptly after her partner said something in her ear.

Pauline's son Paul Gresham also posted a comment on Armstrong's Facebook page yesterday saying he will 'rot in hell you c***', suggesting he killed his mother and then himself.

Police are currently treating the deaths as 'unexplained' but forensics notes seen by MailOnline reveal that officers have found a 'bloodstained kitchen knife' and 'blood on floor in living room and kitchen' at the crime scene.

Detectives, who say they are not looking for any suspects, are also understood to have found blood on a bed and mattress cover and 'possible footwear tracks' on the blood-stained floors, the notes reveal.

Kevin Armstrong, 53, and Pauline Cockburn, 48, were discovered at around 3pm at a property in Heiton, outside Kelso, Roxburghshire on Tuesday.

Police have started to board up the house where Kevin Armstrong, 53, and Pauline Cockburn, 48, were found on Boxing Day

Forensic notes from the scene reveal that a bloodied kitchen has been found by detectives, who are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths

One of Pauline's friends, Gillian Gray said villagers in Heiton had heard a gun may also have been involved but police refused to comment.

She said: 'I had seen them on Christmas Day and something just wasn't right. Pauline, Kevin and her daughter walked past my door and I said hi.

'She wasn't her usual bubbly self. Something was up. She said bye and he mumbled something in her ear. Something didn't feel right, it was odd, something was off.

'The next day he wasn't happy. Around 3.45am in the morning on Boxing Day I woke up to all this noise outside and now I know it was them arguing. Then at around 12pm (Boxing Day) he got in his car and went away back home. He wasn't happy.

'The whole thing just doesn't make sense.

'Pauline was so lovely and bubbly. I've known her since I moved to the street about 20-years-ago. She was a carer so I know there will be a lot of people upset people today. It's just so sad.'

Two friends broke down in tears as they lit a candle in honour of their dear friend. 

One tribute read: 'Pauline, gone far too soon. You will be dearly missed. You were an amazing friend, loved by everyone. We all miss you. It won't be the same without you. Cher and Nicola xxxx.' 

Pauline's son Paul Gresham posted a comment on Armstrong's Facebook page yesterday saying he will 'rot in hell you c***' 

Police also sealed off Pauline's family home in a neighbouring street today where people heard a series of rows

Forensics officers were photographing the pathway outside and taking evidence away from outside

Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, usually reserved for murder inquiries and complex criminal probes, has been brought in suggesting a serious crime had taken place.

Officers had yet to formally identify the dead pair last night, but they were named locally.

It is believed the home where the bodies were found was Mr Armstrong's.

Pauline described herself as a carer in her social media, working for local firm SB Care, and is thought to have had at least three children

One local said: 'The whole village is wondering what has happened and no one seems to know exactly what's happened.

'There's rumours swirling round, but we won't really know until the police have finished their investigation.

'The police have been standing in the field behind the property all day and night.'

Mr Armstrong was described as a keen outdoorsman, who worked at builders merchant Travis Perkins and as a greenkeeper at weekends.

Images from his social media pages show he and Miss Cockburn enjoying country pursuits together.

She described herself as a carer in her social media, working for local firm SB Care, and is thought to have had at least three children.

One local described seeing her on Christmas night, just hours before her body was found. 

A tribute also came from Paul Gresham – Miss Cockburn's 28-year-old son.

He said: 'Love you mum more than anything in the world my soulmate, best friend, mum and dad. My world.'

Police at the terraced house in Kelso today where two bodies were found on Boxing Day

Tearful friends arrive to lay flowers at the house where the couple were found dead this week

One relative of Pauline's described the family's heartbreak at her death on Boxing Day

One friend consoled him, writing: 'Your mum was truly beautiful inside and out, it's so unbelievable. I can't imagine what you and your sisters must be going through right now, thinking of you all.'

Another said: 'Beautiful lady, she was an absolute gem. There's no words. Just beyond heartbreaking for you all. Stay strong for her and your sisters Paul.'

Officers had yet to formally identify the dead pair last night, but they were named locally as Kevin Armstrong, 53, and Pauline Cockburn, 48,

Linda Murray added: 'Words cannot express how I feel, I've lost two amazing friends. Nothing makes sense anymore, my thoughts are with both families at this horrible time. RIP Pauline and Kevin.'

Another Facebook user, thought to be a relative of Mr Armstrong, wrote online: 'Not the Christmas I expected, in shock still.

'I don't know what happened but I do know there are kids out there that have lost their mummy and dad and we should be thinking of them and their families at this sad time. RIP to you both.'

Police Scotland's major investigations team was called to the home after the find at around 3pm on December 26.

The deaths are still being treated as unexplained.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie said: 'The deaths remain unexplained pending post-mortem examinations being carried out.

'Whilst work to establish the exact circumstances is ongoing, I can confirm that the incident is contained and I am not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

The bodies were found in this house in Heiton, was described by police as a small, quiet area of the Scottish Borders

Flowers left at the frozen crime scene today and police have sealed off the entire cul-de-sac

'We continue to offer our thoughts and support to the families of those who have died, and to the local community who I'd like to thank for their assistance with the investigation, and for the support they in turn are providing to the families and each other.'

Superintendent Jim Royan added: 'We understand that this is a shocking incident for a small, quiet area of the Borders and we will have officers on patrol to provide support to the community as well as the Major Investigation Team probe.

'I would like to thank the people of Heiton in advance for their patience and cooperation, and please come and speak to one of the team if you have any information that could assist.'

Police asked for anyone with information to come forward and said that a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.