A Birmingham man suspected of murdering two pensioners - including an 80-year-old Halesowen woman - has been found dead in his prison cell. Leo Barnes, from Balsall Heath, was standing trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court accused of killing Cynthia Beamond and London man Philip Silverstone on consecutive days in June last year. The 33-year-old was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday but didnt appear in court after complaining of feeling ill. And yesterday morning (Jan 25) Mr Barnes was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch. As is standard protocol with all prison fatalities an investigation into his death will take place but it is not deemed to be suspicious. West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, who led the murder enquiry, said: I am shocked to hear about the death of Leo Barnes who was found dead in his cell at HMP Hewell by prison staff. His death is not deemed suspicious. Family Liaison Officers have been supporting the families of both Cynthia and Philip - and officers have also notified Mr Barnes next of kin. Cynthia’s daughter, Beverley Hadley, said: “We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved Mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime. “On Friday 27 June 2014 my life changed forever when my Mum and best friend went missing. “Without Mum, every day of our lives is painful and empty. Every day I wake up thinking about her and believing that this whole nightmare is just a dream, but then the realisation hits me over and over again that it is not a dream – it really is that nightmare. “We have been deprived of those valuable final years of Mums life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes. “She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence.”
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 06:38:33 +0000
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