Bodies of man and woman found in separate rooms 'not suspicious'

The deaths of a man and a woman found inside a home in St Helens are not being treated as suspicious, Merseyside Police has confirmed.

Colin Jackson and Shirley Jones were found inside the address on Mersey Street on Easter Monday after a neighbour went inside.

Ms Jones was found on the floor in a ground floor bedroom while Mr Jackson was found on the couch in the living room.

They had both already died when they were discovered by the woman who had made a roast dinner for them but became concerned after repeated phone calls to them on Sunday were not answered.

The horrified woman ran outside the house to her ex-partner and cried: "They are both dead!"

This evening, police said they were not treating the incident as suspicious.

The scene on Mersey Street, Parr, St Helens where a man and a woman where found dead at the property. (Liverpool Echo)

Post mortem examinations have been carried out but the results are being withheld pending the results of further tests.

The cause of death will be known in coming weeks.

Friends said Shirley was in her late 50s, and had grown up children. Colin was slightly younger and also in his 50s.

Enter your postcode below to find the latest covid figures where you live:

The neighbour initially was banging on the front door and kitchen window, but went round to the back of the property after failing to get an answer. She went in through the unlocked rear door.

There were no obvious injuries on either of them.

Shirley, residents said, had lived on the street for around 25 years and had previously been in a relationship with Colin but not at the present time.

The scene on Mersey Street, Parr, St Helens where a man and a woman where found dead at the property. (Liverpool Echo)

The scene on Mersey Street, Parr, St Helens where a man and a woman where found dead at the property. (Liverpool Echo)

He would live at the house occasionally.

Friends said Shirley suffered with COPD and diabetes but neither her nor Colin were known to be very seriously ill.

Flowers left at the front gate have mounted since the tragic news was confirmed yesterday.

One said: "To dad, rest in paradise, love you endlessly, Gemma."

In a statement on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services were in St Helens following the unexplained deaths of two people found yesterday, Monday 5 April.

"At around 5.50pm, police and ambulance were called to a home on Mersey Street to a call reporting that a man and woman in their 50s had been found inside, following concerns for their safety.

"They were sadly confirmed deceased a short time later and next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers.

"Both deaths are being treated as unexplained as enquiries continue at the location."