A man suspected of murdering a mother of six has died in prison.
Liam Murray, 27, was an inmate at HMP Durham having been held on remand on suspicion of murdering 34-year-old Stacey Cooper.
Police were called by the ambulance service to an address in Malham Gill, Redcar, Cleveland, on New Year's Eve, where they found her.
Murray appeared in court and his case was next expected to be heard before a judge to enter pleas at the end of the month.
He died on Tuesday, a Prison Service spokeswoman said.
"Our thoughts are with his friends and family," she said.
"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."
After her murder, Ms Cooper's family said: "Stacey was a much loved mother of six, a treasured daughter and sister.
"There are no words to express our sadness.
"Stacey was a wonderful mother and the loss of her to her children is unimaginable."
