Cynthia Beamond murder case detective: Alleged killer was 'unique individual'
The detective who led the Cynthia Beamond murder inquiry described alleged killer Leo Barnes as a 'unique individual' as she spoke of her shock over his death.
Barnes had been due to be cross-examined over the killing of Halesowen pensioner Mrs Beamond and Philip Silverstone, aged 67, on Friday last week but did not appear in court after complaining of feeling ill.
Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield said: "I am shocked to hear of the death of Leo Barnes. He took to the stand to give his account and was due to be cross-examined when he next appeared in court.
"Cynthia Beamond's family have drawn their own conclusions from the evidence they have heard.
"Neither West Midlands Police nor the Metropolitan Police will be looking for anyone else in connection with the case," she said.
She added: "Clearly, Barnes was a unique individual. It is clear to see this from his account of what happened."
Earlier, the trial had heard Mrs Beamond's family were concerned about the nature of her friendship with Barnes, of Balsall Heath, who she had known since he was a child.
Stephen Linehan QC said her daughter Beverley Hadley had called police in the aftermath of her disappearance to tell them of her worries about him, which led to him becoming a suspect.
Her body was subsequently found in the garage of her Juliet Road home after she had been bludgeoned to death with a saucepan.
He said: "From the very beginning of Mrs Beamond's disappearance, the police were looking for Leo Barnes and the reason for that was that Beverley Hadley had told police of her concerns that that man was visiting her mother."
However, the family decided they could not stop the visits because she thought well of the defendant.
"Mrs Beamond had no reason to suspect that the boy she cared for when he was young would be a danger to her."
Neighbours in Halesowen have spoken of their shock at Barnes' death.
Judith Seymour, aged 48, who lives in Alison Road which joins on to Juliet Road, said: "It's a shame for the family that they won't get justice for their mother or grandmother.
"It was a shock when it happened. You don't expect it to happen round the corner from where you live."
Father-of-three Brett Willetts, also of Alison Road, said: "If he was on suicide watch, greater care should have been taken to make sure he didn't do anything.
"The family have got no real closure, it must be distressing for them. They don't know what happened on that day or why it happened. It's not the outcome they would have looked for."
