A brutal murder and the discovery of two corpses have shattered the peace and joy of the festive season.

Nicholas Anthony Dill, 44, from Warwick died in hospital after receiving multiple stab wounds to his back, chest and head on Sunday morning following a violent row at his house on Pearman's Hill.

Armed Police are still currently scouring the Island for a 33-year-old Southampton man, who it is understood Mr. Dill's girlfriend, Stacey Ann Pike, 33, has identified as the attacker.

Ms Pike was also rushed to hospital with a deep machete wound to her head ? as well as numerous cuts to her body allegedly sustained as she attempted to drag the man off her boyfriend.

Mr. Dill, who has a long history of drug abuse, is believed to have been taking drugs with the alleged attacker at the house shortly before the violent outburst ? although it is not yet known what provoked the attack.

Neighbours said Mr. Dill was generally a quiet man who lived at home with his family, while none of them claim to have known or heard anything about the incident until an ambulance arrived on the scene just after 9 a.m. as well as around 15 Police officers. A profound sense of shock permeates through the local community at present, with one resident, who did not wish to be named, talking of his "disbelief" that such a gruesome incident could take place in a normally peaceful neighbourhood.

The family house has now been cordoned off as Police conduct forensic examinations in the back yard, concentrated around the rather dilapidated shack which was Mr. Dill's bedroom. On Christmas Eve, meanwhile, the body of Dennis Hodson, 55, of Hamilton Parish, was found floating in the ocean off Mangrove Bay in Sandys.

Police have released few details about the incident but are refusing to rule out foul play until the autopsy is complete.has also learned that Scotty Madeiros, 50, was found dead in the back seat of his car at a house in Southampton last Tuesday morning.

It is understood Mr. Madeiros had been sailing up from the Caribbean on his yacht along with wife Judy, before encountering mechanical problems in local waters. The couple were eventually towed to shore after remaining adrift for some time, before Mr. Madeiros left his wife and travelled to Southampton, apparently to acquire new engine parts.

Police have now conducted a search of the boat but yesterday refused to officially release the name of the deceased, again confirming only that they are awaiting the results of the autopsy. Anybody with any information as to the whereabouts of the 33-year-old Southampton man allegedly involved in the attack on Pearman's Hill is asked to call Chief Inspector Stuart Crockwell at the Serious Crime Unit on 299-4315, or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.