The deaths of a man and woman whose bodies were found inside a Tyneside home are now being treat as suspected "murder-suicide" detectives have confirmed.
Police made the grim discovery after being called to a house on The Quadrant, in North Shields, two weeks ago today.
Detectives say they found the body of a woman in her 50s who had suffered fatal injuries "consistent with an assault".
They also found the body of a man in his 60s who appeared to have suffered self-inflicted injuries.
Investigations into the deaths are today still ongoing, but Northumbria Police has now confirmed that detectives are treating the death of the woman as murder.
They do not believe anyone else is involved and police have today said the incident is a suspected murder-suicide.
Officers have also confirmed the identities of the couple as Helen Barlow, 54, and Richard Leishman, 65, who were partners and lived together at the house.
Det Chief Insp Graeme Barr, the senior investigating officer of the case, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected by this tragic case.
“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing but the evidence we have gathered at this stage indicates that we are dealing with a suspected murder-suicide.
“Once we have concluded our investigation then we will provide the coroner with a full report.
“We would ask that the public respect the privacy of the families of both Helen and Richard at what is an incredibly difficult time for them.”
Police were called to the house at around 2.15pm on Monday, August 8, after it was reported that Helen had not turned up for work that day.
Later that evening forensics officers, wearing white overalls, could be seen going in and out of the property.
In the following days several bouquets of flowers were laid outside the cordoned off property.
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