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Sussex couple die in suspected Christmas Day 'suicide pact' Sussex couple die in suspected Christmas Day 'suicide pact'
(about 4 hours later)
A couple are believed to have died in a suicide pact on Christmas Day, leaving behind their two young children.A couple are believed to have died in a suicide pact on Christmas Day, leaving behind their two young children.
The man and woman, who have not been officially named, were found dead on Thursday morning at their home in Billingshurst, West Sussex.The man and woman, who have not been officially named, were found dead on Thursday morning at their home in Billingshurst, West Sussex.
Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, when the children were believed to have been out the house in the care of relatives.Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, when the children were believed to have been out the house in the care of relatives.
A worried family member had gone to the couple's home shortly after 9am yesterday and saw the bodies through a window, the Daily Mirror reported.A worried family member had gone to the couple's home shortly after 9am yesterday and saw the bodies through a window, the Daily Mirror reported.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said post-mortems were due to be carried out on Boxing Day to establish the cause of death and would not confirm whether suicide notes had been left.A spokesperson for Sussex Police said post-mortems were due to be carried out on Boxing Day to establish the cause of death and would not confirm whether suicide notes had been left.
“Emergency services were called to a house in Groomsland Drive, Billingshurst, just after 9am on Thursday after concerns for a couple there,” he added.“Emergency services were called to a house in Groomsland Drive, Billingshurst, just after 9am on Thursday after concerns for a couple there,” he added.
“A 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were sadly found dead in the property.“A 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were sadly found dead in the property.
“Officers are working to establish the circumstances of the death but are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”“Officers are working to establish the circumstances of the death but are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
As the house was sealed off while forensics officers carried out investigations, neighbours spoke of their shock at the tragedy.As the house was sealed off while forensics officers carried out investigations, neighbours spoke of their shock at the tragedy.
“They very much kept to themselves but they seemed like a lovely family. I think they have two young children,” a 47-year-old man living four houses away told the Mirror.“They very much kept to themselves but they seemed like a lovely family. I think they have two young children,” a 47-year-old man living four houses away told the Mirror.
“I am in absolute shock and how tragic for the children. I have never heard of anything like this around here."“I am in absolute shock and how tragic for the children. I have never heard of anything like this around here."
Anyone who has been affected by the news can call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 or email jo@samaritans.org for confidential help and support.