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Devoted North Shields pair died days apart
by Lisa Hutchinson, Evening Chronicle
Jan 24 2011
2ShareAdd a commentRecommend (7) DEVOTED Carol and Billy Metcalfe were so inseparable they even died only two days apart.
When Carol died at home on January 2, Billy was found only 60 hours later.
An ambulance service was called and found Carol, 49, had died in her house. Neighbours say they believe it was flu-like symptoms but she lost her fight for survival.
Billy, 59, was then found dead on January 4 at their former council house in Falmouth Road, North Shields.
Now they will be laid to rest in a double funeral on Tuesday.
Police were called to the house after a concerned family member said they were unable to get in touch with Billy.
They had to break an entry when there was no reply.
Neighbour Andy Smith, 44, said: ?They were so devoted to each other. They were the ultimate couple. They even went out to pull in the bin together. When one was trimming hedges in the front garden the other was sitting on a deck-chair talking. They did everything together and cared so much for one another.
?He would go and help her in with the shopping and would wash her car. They?d do anything for each other.
?I believe Carol worked in a care home of some sort but I don?t know if Billy worked or not. They never argued and were very private people.
?They kept themselves to themselves and I don?t think they had any family. No one visited them, they were just happy in each other?s company.
?I moved in here about six months ago and Billy was always very helpful. I didn?t even have a kettle at first and they made me cups of tea while I was working on the house.
?It?s so sad what has happened. Carol was taken to hospital, I think she had suffered flu or something like that, but she died on January 2. Later I saw Billy putting away his car but didn?t see him to talk to.
?The next day the blinds were open and the Christmas tree had been taken down from out of the window, but then on January 4 the blinds remained closed.
?The police came and bashed their way in. They were in there for about 15 minutes before they came back out.
?Their story was true love and it appears Billy just couldn?t live without his wife. We are shocked how this has happened.?
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into Billy?s death. The coroner is waiting for tests to come back from the lab to pinpoint exactly how he died.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: ?The Ambulance Service was called to a house in Falmouth Road at 7.53am on Sunday, January 2, 2011. They found Mrs Carol Metcalfe inside and she was found to have died. There was no third party involvement.
?Sadly, two days later on Tuesday, January 4, at 8pm a concerned family member unable to get in touch with Mr William Metcalfe rang police. Officers attended the address and found him dead inside the house. There was no third party involvement. A file has been prepared for the coroner.?
A funeral service will be held at Preston Cemetery Chapel, North Shields, on Tuesday, January 25.
Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...died-days-apart-72703-28043804/#ixzz1C0CC5guq
Devoted North Shields pair died days apart
by Lisa Hutchinson, Evening Chronicle
Jan 24 2011
2ShareAdd a commentRecommend (7) DEVOTED Carol and Billy Metcalfe were so inseparable they even died only two days apart.
When Carol died at home on January 2, Billy was found only 60 hours later.
An ambulance service was called and found Carol, 49, had died in her house. Neighbours say they believe it was flu-like symptoms but she lost her fight for survival.
Billy, 59, was then found dead on January 4 at their former council house in Falmouth Road, North Shields.
Now they will be laid to rest in a double funeral on Tuesday.
Police were called to the house after a concerned family member said they were unable to get in touch with Billy.
They had to break an entry when there was no reply.
Neighbour Andy Smith, 44, said: ?They were so devoted to each other. They were the ultimate couple. They even went out to pull in the bin together. When one was trimming hedges in the front garden the other was sitting on a deck-chair talking. They did everything together and cared so much for one another.
?He would go and help her in with the shopping and would wash her car. They?d do anything for each other.
?I believe Carol worked in a care home of some sort but I don?t know if Billy worked or not. They never argued and were very private people.
?They kept themselves to themselves and I don?t think they had any family. No one visited them, they were just happy in each other?s company.
?I moved in here about six months ago and Billy was always very helpful. I didn?t even have a kettle at first and they made me cups of tea while I was working on the house.
?It?s so sad what has happened. Carol was taken to hospital, I think she had suffered flu or something like that, but she died on January 2. Later I saw Billy putting away his car but didn?t see him to talk to.
?The next day the blinds were open and the Christmas tree had been taken down from out of the window, but then on January 4 the blinds remained closed.
?The police came and bashed their way in. They were in there for about 15 minutes before they came back out.
?Their story was true love and it appears Billy just couldn?t live without his wife. We are shocked how this has happened.?
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into Billy?s death. The coroner is waiting for tests to come back from the lab to pinpoint exactly how he died.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: ?The Ambulance Service was called to a house in Falmouth Road at 7.53am on Sunday, January 2, 2011. They found Mrs Carol Metcalfe inside and she was found to have died. There was no third party involvement.
?Sadly, two days later on Tuesday, January 4, at 8pm a concerned family member unable to get in touch with Mr William Metcalfe rang police. Officers attended the address and found him dead inside the house. There was no third party involvement. A file has been prepared for the coroner.?
A funeral service will be held at Preston Cemetery Chapel, North Shields, on Tuesday, January 25.
Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...died-days-apart-72703-28043804/#ixzz1C0CC5guq