CHIPPENHAM NEWS: NEIGHBOURS of suspected killer Ian Cortis were unaware of his secret life until revelations were leaked after his death.

The 42-year-old self-employed plasterer, who is believed to have killed nursery nurse Amanda Edwards, was found hanging by his mother-in-law at a house in Woodsage Way, Calne, on Friday.

Growing up in the Cornish village of Lanner, near Redruth, details of his two previous convictions for rape during the 1980s were exposed at the weekend.

It has been reported the father-of-two had recently separated from his wife Villette, 26, but was still seen driving his white Transit van, bearing the name of his company Ian Cortis Plastering Ltd, through the street where he lived in Lineacre Close, Swindon, during the week before his arrest.

It has emerged that Amanda, from Purton, near Swindon, was a regular visitor at the Cortis' home and baby-sat for their children, Tyler, five, and Gabriel, one. Her green Rover Metro car was frequently spotted outside the house. She is also believed to have worked with her suspected killer, a former bouncer, at Buds nightclub in Chippenham.

Contracted to work at The Knoll building site in Malmesbury, Cortis also worked with Amanda's boyfriend's family's plastering firm on the executive housing development.

Shocked neighbours near Cortis' home in Swindon described him as a 'down to earth family man'.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "They (the Cortis family) seemed like decent people and the mother is very pleasant."

Officers spent the weekend searching for clues in Cortis' home and neighbours were interviewed while Amanda was still missing.

"The police came round and were asking questions and taking descriptions," said another neighbour.

"They asked how old we were and if we had any birthmarks. They said it was because they needed to eliminate people from their inquiries and neighbours came into that category."

Neighbours say they knew little about the Cortis family, who moved into the estate three years ago. But a woman, who lives in nearby King Henry Drive, who wishes to remain anonymous, said her daughter sold the house to them.

"It really shocked her when she found out her old house was involved," she said."

Janet Blackford, 56, has known Cortis for the past 10 years. They met when she worked at the former Everybodies gym, in Greenbridge, Swindon, where he was a member.

She said: "He was into bodybuilding and was not very sociable. He kept himself to himself."