Man accused of killing Halesowen pensioner found dead in his cell was on suicide watch

Leo Barnes was discovered hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch by prison officers yesterday.

Barnes was accused of battering the 80-year-old grandmother to death at her home in Juliet Road before killing another pensioner, 67-year-old Philip Silverstone, in London the next day.

He had been on trial over the deaths last week at Wolverhampton Crown Court, but did not appear in the dock on Friday. The trial was due to resume today.

As is standard protocol with all prison deaths, an investigation into Barnes' death will take place but it is not thought to be suspicious.

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, who led the murder enquiry, said: "I am shocked to hear about the death of Leo Barnes who was found dead in his cell at HMP Hewell by prison staff. His death is not deemed suspicious.

"Family Liaison Officers have been supporting the families of both Cynthia and Philip - and officers have also notified Mr Barnes' next of kin."

Cynthia's daughter, Beverley Hadley, said: "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 2014 my life changed forever when my Mum and best friend went missing.

"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."