Joe Sinclair

The victims of a sadistic double murder might have died for the sake of two handheld games consoles, police said last night.

French students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, both 23, were bound, gagged and stabbed in a bedsit in London on Sunday night.

Detectives, who believe the pair may have been the victims of a savage robbery, said two Sony PSP consoles, costing £130 each, were stolen from Mr Bonomo's rented flat.

They fear a set of keys to the flat, which was stolen in a burglary six days earlier, may have enabled the attacker to surprise his victims.

Officers are also hunting a black Packard Bell laptop taken in the previous burglary while Mr Bonomo was in the shower.

Mr Ferez, who lived in south Norwood, had travelled to spend the evening at his friend's flat, where they were playing computer games.

Detective chief inspector Mick Duthie, leading the investigation, said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who has recently been offered a laptop and two personal games consoles, or knows someone who has unexpectedly come to have them.

"Laurent Bonomo said he was in the shower when he heard a suspicious noise. He found the window of his living room forced open and his laptop was stolen.

"The search of the address is not yet completed, but we have established that two Sony PSPs are missing and believe they were taken during the incident on Sunday when the men were killed."

Mr Duthie said: "We still have no clear idea of what has happened and why this has happened to these two men. However, with property being stolen this now suggests the burglary which happened six days prior may well be linked to the murder."

He said they were still trying to establish whether the victims' bank cards were also stolen.

Mr Duthie said a white man seen running from the address moments after it exploded in flames has not been identified.

"If you were visiting a friend, if you were passing through, please let me know and I can eliminate you from the inquiry," he said.

Officers said they were following up on about 25 calls which have been received in relation to the murders.