The man and woman found dead on heathland in Limburg on Tuesday have been formally identified but police have not yet released their names, nor said if there was any connection between the two.

‘This is what we want to know, and are trying to find out,’ a police spokesman said.

The woman, aged 63, and the man, aged 68, both come from nearly Heerlen, police said. In addition, a car parked close to where the bodies were found has been taken away for forensic tests.

One eyewitness said on Tuesday the two had been stabbed but this has not been confirmed by the police, who have said both people ‘died violently’.

The first body was found on the Brunssummerheide nature reserve shortly before midday by a man who was out walking his dog. The second body was found around 100 metres away some 40 minutes later. The Brunssummerheide is a popular spot with dog walkers.