Police are investigating possible links between the separate deaths of three people over a period of three months in the same area of Teesside.
Cleveland police on Friday said they were treating the deaths as unexplained and were awaiting the results of tests to establish the cause of them.
The three people were all from South Bank, Teesside, and have been named as Kevin Conway, 41; Stephanie Alderson, 35; and Kathleen Broomfield, 38. Family tributes have been made to all three.
Conway’s body was found at an address on Ajax Way on 15 July after a call to police.
His sister Claire, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “Kevin was a much-loved son, father, brother, and friend to everyone who knew him. Words cannot describe the devastation of his unexpected passing.”
Alderson’s body was found at a property on Ajax Way on Monday evening this week by police officers responding to concerns for an occupant.
Her mother, Glennis, said: “Stephanie was a much-loved daughter who will be greatly missed.”
Broomfield’s body was found at a property on South Court on Tuesday morning Police were responding to a report of a sudden death.
Her brother, Paul Broomfield, said: “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will be for ever in our hearts.”
Police said a 43-year-old woman, who had been arrested in relation to Conway’s death in July, had been re-arrested in connection to that death as well as the two recent deaths on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.
Three others, two men aged 47 and a 39-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance in relation to the death of Kathleen Broomfield.
All four remain on bail while inquiries continue.
A spokesperson for Cleveland police said: “Following three deaths in the South Bank area which have occurred over a three-month period, officers are now investigating any links between the deaths of a man and two women.
“At this time police are continuing to treat the deaths as unexplained as inquiries continue and detectives await the results of further tests to establish the cause of their deaths.”
