A TRAGIC teenager who died along with her father stabbed him before turning the knife on herself, it has emerged.

Margaret Pierides and her father, Costas, both died from stab wounds inflicted during an horrific incident at their Sible Hedignham home on Saturday morning.

The 16-year-old was flown to Colchester General Hospital where she later died whilst her dad was pronounced dead at the family’s home.

A post-mortem has now been completed and provisional results released yesterday confirmed both father and daughter died from stab wounds.

Essex Police have not yet confirmed the sequence of events inside the luxury house but the EADT understands that Margaret, known to friends as Maggie, attacked her 48-year-old dad before stabbing herself resulting in a massive loss of blood.

Forensic officers were still working at the scene of the large, �750,00 house yesterday.

Mr Pierides’ devastated wife, Bernadette, and their children, Androulla, 11, Cyproulla, eight, Costas Junior, four, and George, two, are being supported by family and friends and specially trained police officers.

They are said to be in “total shock” following the deaths.

Vicar Laurie Bond, of St Peter’s Church in Sible Hedingham, said: “I had a short conversation with Margaret’s mum.

“They are still just hit by total shock and they are not in a state to talk to anyone.”

John Panayi, the headteacher of Hedingham School where Margaret was a pupil, paid tribute to the “outgoing” schoolgirl.

He said he had met her parents and described Mr Pierides father as “caring and devoted”.

“Margaret was a really nice girl actually, really outgoing, always seen with a smile on her face.

You would always say ‘good morning’. She was a very popular girl with both teachers and students. From our point of view, we are devastated, the school is stunned.

“We had counsellors in this morning so students were able to go and talk to somebody if they needed to.

“It was a real shock for the school community and the community at large. Our thoughts are very much with the family.”

Speaking about Margaret and her family, he added: “I did meet the father on one occasion and based on that one meeting, he seemed a very caring and devoted father.

“So it was stunning news to get over the weekend.”

Margaret’s friends have described how the popular teenager got into difficulties with drugs and left home to temporarily live at The Foyer hostel in Braintree.

Speaking about the difficulties Margaret went through in recent months, Mr Panyani said: “Lots of youngsters have difficulties within the school and we do our best to support them and their parents.

“Overall from our perspective, she was a good student who had some difficulties but there are lots of procedures in place to help.

“This came as a real shock.”

More flowers have been left outside the house which is still surrounded by police tape following the indident which happened at about 10am.

A letter left at the scene addressed to ‘Marg (Macca, Margharita Pizza)’ read: “I can’t believe this happened to you babe.

“I’m so proud of what you did, turning your life around and I’m so glad I helped you.

“It’s such a tragedy your precious life has been taken away so suddenly.”

A statement from Essex Police said: “Both deaths were the result of stab wounds, leading to severe loss of blood, according to the preliminary PM results.

“Costas Pierides died at the house, Margaret Pierides was taken to Colchester Hospital but died from her injuries.

“Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of their deaths but will be making no further comment at this stage.”