POLICE investigating the deaths of two people in their North-East home have today (Thursday, May 2) confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Police were called to Hylton Castle Road, in Sunderland, at 4.20pm yesterday after a relative reported concern for the welfare of a couple living there.

Officers and paramedics attended and a man and a woman were found dead in a bedroom at the property.

A police spokesman said the woman was May Stokoe, 79, and the man was her husband, James “Jim” Stokoe, also 79, both of Hylton Castle Road.

The officer leading the investigation into the deaths, Detective Chief Inspector Christina Barrett, said: "It appears at this stage that there was no one else involved in the deaths and although we are not looking for anyone else.

“Inquiries continue to be carried out to establish exactly what has taken place."

Sunderland Area Commander Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth said: "Having an incident like this in a close-knit community like Hylton Castle Road can be very traumatic for local people.

"I would like to reassure them that these deaths appear not to have involved anyone else and as such there is no danger to the wider community.

"That said, we recognise the concerns of the community and so we are continuing with our increased patrols in the area to offer reassurance and support to local people."

According to neighbours, the retired miner had recently been diagnosed with cancer.

This morning the garden was full of flowers, while a blue Citroen Xsara Picasso sat on the drive and there was a police tape across the gate.

Neighbour Sharon Robson said: “They were a canny couple. Every time the bairns used to kick the balls over their wall and into their garden, they would always throw it back.

“Jim had cancer. He had been to hospital two weeks ago. We still can’t get over what has happened to them.”

A post mortem is expected to be carried out tonight.

Anyone with information can still contact police on the 101 non-emergency number.