Siblings who were found dead in a flat in Bristol on Sunday all died from knife injuries police have confirmed.
Fares Bash, seven, Joury Bash, three, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash, were found in the Sea Mills area of the city.
A 42-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder is still in hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: ‘The loss of such young children, who had their whole lives ahead of them, is truly heartbreaking and our thoughts remain with their family and everyone affected by this tragedy.
‘Our specialist liaison officers will continue to provide their next of kin with any help and support they need.
‘Over the past few days, forensic post-mortem examinations have been carried out on the children. We can now confirm the cause of death for each child was knife injuries.’
She said cordons in Blaise Walk had been lifted and a mobile police station would open in Sea Mills this weekend.
Ms Hayward-Melen previously said this is an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider public.
She added: ‘The amount of time we can legally keep a person in custody does not start until they are brought into a police station, so will not include any periods of time spent in hospital.
‘Our investigation, led by the Major Crime Investigation Team, is progressing at pace and we’re carrying out comprehensive inquiries to establish the events which led to this devastating loss of life.
‘The main cordons put in place in Blaise Walk have been lifted and we would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carried out a thorough investigation at the scene.’
The force added the investigation into the incident is ‘progressing at pace’.
Police were called to conduct a welfare check on Blaise Walk in Sea Mills at around 12.40am on Sunday.
The lives of the three children ‘could not be saved’ when they were found and a vigil in memory of the children is due to be held later today.
Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog over prior contact.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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