THE devastated family of twin toddlers killed over Christmas have said their deaths were a “terrible tragedy”.

Mum Samantha Ford, 37, was charged with the murders of Jake and Chloe on Boxing Day night.

The tots, who were looking forward to their second birthday, were found dying at the home they moved into with Samantha three weeks ago.

Her brother James Emptage, 27, fought back tears as he told The Sun: “It’s a terrible tragedy. I will pay tribute but not right now.”

Her grandmother Pamela Emptage, 80, said: “They were lovely. I mean they were not even two years old yet. It’s absolutely tragic.”

Samantha is believed to have moved into the rented house in Margate, Kent, a year after buying a home in Ashford with husband Steven.

Previously they lived in Doha, Qatar. It is not known if the couple, who wed five years ago, have split but Steven had recently posted several cryptic messages on Twitter.

On December 16 he wrote: “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face . . .  My face hurts.”

And on November 16 he shared a snap of his local pub, captioning it: “Somewhere to breathe.”

On December 23 he posted a snap of Chloe, writing: “Snuggling with my fav girl #daughter #myworld #twins”.

Just three nights later, in the early hours of Thursday, the tragic tot and her brother were found by medics. Despite a fight to save them, they were pronounced dead in hospital.

Earlier that night, at 2.50am, their mum is thought to have crashed her Ford Galaxy on the A299 between Whitstable and Herne Bay, Kent. Police think it could have been deliberately rammed into a truck.

Samantha was taken to a different hospital with minor injuries before being detained.

She is due to appear before Canterbury JPs today.

Yesterday, forensic teams removed two pillows from the £210,000 semi-detached house while neighbours left tributes to the children outside.

One said: “They just seemed normal. It’s absolutely tragic.”

Another local resident said: “This is absolutely heartbreaking. To have two young lives gone so soon is terrible.”