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'Dead brothers could have lain for days'
TWO brothers found dead inside their home could have lain undiscovered for days.
The men, one in his 40s and the other in his 50s, have been named by neighbours as Graham and John Lightfoot.
Police were called to Elliott Street, in Hartlepool, at around 1.30am on Saturday after a call from a concerned neighbour.
Forensic teams were brought in while uniformed officers conducted door-to-door inquiries in the street.
The cause of death hasn't been confirmed for either man but it is believed that one brother died of pneumonia and the other of a heart condition.
It is not yet clear where inside the house the bodies were found and the brothers could have been dead for several days.
Post mortem examinations are being carried out.
Police Community Support Officers were stationed outside the town centre house throughout Saturday while uniformed police officers carried out door to door enquiries.
Police are still trying to trace the family and have not released any formal identification.
Police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances or signs of forced entry.
Detective Inspector Keith Groves of Hartlepool CID said: "Cleveland Police are investigating the deaths of two men believed to brothers aged in their 40's and 50's, who were found at an address in Elliott Street, in the early hours of Saturday.
"At the moment there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police continue to carry out inquiries on behalf of the coroner."
Neighbour Lynn Coulson, 40, unemployed, who lives two doors down from the house, said: "I didn't hear anything during the night until I came outside and saw all the police.
"The two men have been living there for more than six years but I never spoke to them. They both looked quite elderly and kept themselves to themselves.
"It was a shock to see them being carried out."
Anyone with information is asked to call Hartlepool CID on (01642) 302133.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
