EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch as daughter speaks of relief as man accused of Cynthia Beamond's murder dies
The family of a murdered pensioner have spoken of their relief the man suspected of her killing had died.
Beverley Hadley, daughter of Cynthia Beamond, aged 80, from Halesowen, spoke outside Wolverhampton Crown Court that her family felt 'cheated' Leo Barnes would not face a guilty verdict.
She said: "I am relieved that he has gone, but feel cheated that we did not get the guilty verdict."
Barnes was discovered hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell prison in Redditch at 6.30am on Sunday.
He was accused of battering the 80-year-old grandmother to death with a pan at her home in Juliet Road before going on to kill another pensioner, 67-year-old Philip Silverstone, in London the next day.
In closing the case, The Honourable Mr Justice Haddon-Cave expressed his admiration of the "quiet dignity" displayed by family and friends of Cynthia in the public gallery, he continued: "This is a difficult event and no-one who has listened to the evidence so far could have been in any doubt what a wonderful woman Mrs Beamond was and how she is truly missed by everyone who loved and knew her. The same goes for Mr Silverstone and his family and friends."
Cynthia's daughter Bev Hadley spoke following today's proceedings: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved Mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime.
"On Friday 27 June my life changed forever when my Mum and best friend went missing. Two days later I received the devastating news my Mum was dead – violently murdered and then concealed in her own home.
"Mum was not just my mum she was my best friend too. She always called me her rock but she was also my rock and not a day went by when we wouldn't speak or text. A big part of me died the day my beloved Mum died.
"Mum was 80 and fit, well and active and very "with it". We believed that she would have many more Christmas's and birthdays to celebrate. These happy times have now been taken away from us.
"Without Mum, every day of our lives is painful and empty. Every day I wake up thinking about her and believing that this whole nightmare is just a dream, but then the realisation hits me over and over again that it is not a dream – it really is that nightmare.
"We have been deprived of those valuable final years of Mum's life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes. She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence."
The trial was due to resume today.
Leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield said: "I was shocked to hear of the death of Leo Barnes who was found dead in his prison cell yesterday morning.
"Barnes was nearing the end of his trial where he stood charged with the brutal murder of two pensioners, Cynthia Beamond from Halesowen and Philip Silverstone from London.
"Barnes took to the stand in court to give his account last Thursday and was due to be cross examined when he next appeared in court.
"Cynthia's family have been present in court every day and have naturally drawn their own conclusions from the evidence they have heard and the timing of Barnes' death. Neither West Midlands Police nor the Metropolitan Police will be looking for anyone else in connection with the murders. The evidence in this case was overwhelming."
