Updated July 24 6.50am

A man stabbed his mother and aunt to death in Għargħur on Monday morning before giving himself up to police.

The male suspect, a 42-year-old, is believed to have attacked his aunt and his mother with a bread knife following an argument about his suspicion that they were secretly putting tranquillisers in his coffee.

The incident happened at 6am at his mother's home on Triq Fidiel Zarb, a narrow, quiet street in the village.

Sources said he first attacked his 74-year-old aunt, Maria Carmela Micallef, killing her instantly while his mother, Antonia Micallef, 71, died shortly afterwards at Mater Dei Hospital.

Police sources said he subsequently called police himself and gave himself up once officers arrived at the scene. It was the alleged murderer who opened the door for the police, his clothes drenched in blood, according to sources.

The suspect has been taken to Mount Carmel Hospital, sources said. 

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and is being led by magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.

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Photo: Matthew Mirabelli