POLICE went to the home of a young mother to investigate reports of a stabbing hours before she killed her three children and took her own life.

Officers were sent to the Lowestoft home of Fiona Anderson, who grew up in the Highlands and Moray, after reports the children's father, Craig McLelland, had been attacked on Monday.

Ms Anderson, 21, who was heavily pregnant with her fourth child when she leapt from a car park, was found dead from serious head injuries around a mile from her home in the Suffolk town.

Police called to the scene then visited Ms Anderson's basement flat to find the bodies of her children; Levina, three, Addy, two, and 11-month-old baby Kyden.

She had been due to give birth to a daughter, who she had planned to call Evalie, in June.

Last night, Suffolk Constabulary referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Ms Anderson's shocked school friends have paid tribute to the girl they grew up with.

She was from a service family connected to RAF Kinloss and attended Kingussie High School and Forres Academy before the family moved south in 2008.

Ms Anderson, who also went by the name of Chisholm, is said to have been suffering from deep depression after the breakdown of her relationship with partner Craig McLelland.

She posted pictures of her children and a series of messages about her break-up on the day she died. Her baby scan was posted on the morning of her death.

Lucy Teale, a childhood friend of Ms Anderson, set up an online memorial to her friend. She said: "I grew up with Fiona and I am beyond devastated that she is gone.

"We shared so many wonderful memories together and I'm blessed to have had her in my life. Now rest in peace with your sweet ones."

Another former friend from Kingussie High School, Katie Macaulay, posted on the memorial page: "There were many days we laughed in school and I will always remember the good old days."

Ms Anderson spent most of her secondary school years at Forres Academy, but attended Kingussie High School for six months in 2005.

Brian Ross, acting headteacher at Kingussie High School, said: "Everyone who remembers her is deeply saddened and our condolences go to her family at this sad time."

Mr McLelland broke down and hugged his mother, Amanda McLelland, as he visited the family's home to lay flowers among the collection of toys and bouquets which have been left by the front wall.

Neighbour and friend Megan Smith, 19, said Ms Anderson had split up with her boyfriend the night before the tragedy, although others have said they separated around a fortnight ago.

It had been claimed Ms Anderson had contacted social services for support.

Ms Smith said: "She was crying out for help because she was depressed. She couldn't cope.

"She had three kids, she was 21-years-old, pregnant with her fourth – hormones take over, three kids under the age of three is a lot to take on at that age.

"She was a lovely, bubbly person, she kept herself to herself, she did the best by her kids, her kids didn't want for anything."

In a Facebook message posted the day before her death, Ms Anderson claimed "no-one wants us, no-one will help us". She added: "The people who are supposed to help us just tell lies and try to take my babies away. I keep trying but no-one will listen.

"Craig was all we had, now he's gone. He hurt us and left us on our own. We're trapped here we can't get away. Everyone wants to hurt us. Their daddy, the love of my life, wants to hurt us. I can't make it stop. I want it all to go away but it won't stop. I need to hug my babies while they're sleeping, keep them safe and never let go."

Police said last night that post-mortems examinations to determine the cause of death of the children had yet to conclude.

Sue Cook, director for children and young people at Suffolk County Council said: "This is a terrible and very sad incident. My thoughts at this time are with the family and all those who knew the mother and the children.

"With the police investigation ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on specifics relating to the family. For now it is important to support the wider family, friends and the community to grieve.

"As is normal with this type of incident, the case has been referred to Suffolk's independent local Safeguarding Children's Board."