A RECEPTIONIST was found stabbed and beaten to death next to the body of a man convicted of a double murder almost 20 years ago.

Police have begun a murder probe after they discovered the body of Jeanette Wallace, 58, at her home in Mynn Crescent, Bearsted, near Maidstone.

Her partner, 57-year old Derek Pinder Ord, was found hanged at the same address.

Ord, of Windlesham Gardens, Hove, in Sussex, was convicted of killing his estranged wife and mother-in-law in Sandhurst, Tunbridge Wells, in 1987.

He died as a result of hanging. Ms Wallace, who lived alone at the address, had suffered knife wounds and head injuries.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Ord received a life sentence for the brutal murders of his estranged wife Joan Ord, 39, and her mother Dorothy Abnett, 75, on Christmas Eve 1986.

He had been released from prison in May 2003, and was being supervised by Sussex Probation Service.

A spokesman for Sussex Probation Service said: "I can confirm Derek Ord was being supervised as a prisoner serving a life sentence, who was released into our supervision.

"We are looking closely at how this was managed and a report will be prepared for the National Probation Directorate under the auspices of the Home Office."

An inquest into the deaths was opened and adjourned on Thursday.