Residents in Holbeck have expressed their shock, sorrow and sadness after a mum and her 10-year-old son were tragically found dead in a flat.
The bodies of a 30-year-old woman and her child were found in a flat in Cross Ingram Road on Thursday, September 15. West Yorkshire Police got a call from residents who were concerned about the pair.
One resident told Leeds Live that they had not seen the mum "for a while". The individual, who did not wish to be named, said: "She was from a different country so we thought she'd gone there for a while."
Read more: Mum and son, 10, found dead inside Leeds flat
After officers arrived at the scene on Thursday, police tape was put around the home where the mother and son were found, and on a nearby tree. A neighbour said "flashes were coming through the window" as forensic investigation took place.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police (WYP) confirmed that officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Formal identification of the bodies is still to take place.
The scene remains in place, and on Friday around 6.30pm one marked and one unmarked police car were at the scene. A police van arrived around 7pm.
Silence was heard in Cross Ingram Street. The houses across from the apartment of the mother and son were seen with their lights off.
A little boy, believed to be aged around eight, was seen crying as he walked past the scene. Children were later seen playing in the street nearby where police cars are parked.
"Is it true?", one resident shouted across to another. One man who lives opposite the property where the mum and her son died, said: "There’s so many rumours flying around you just don’t know do you. I was in the house and the police were taking pictures so the flashes were coming through my window.
"I heard she’d been away for some time, some were saying. I’ve just tried to keep to myself. She was from a different country you see [the mum] so we thought she’d just gone there for a while."
One man who came to stay with friends for the weekend in Cross Ingram Road was "shocked" when he heard what happened. "I don’t actually live on this road but my friends do and you just can’t believe it can you. We don’t really know much about it but we’d heard it was bad," he said.
Another resident added: "We’ve seen police here throughout the day." Another said: "It’s just awful isn’t it."
Confirming the details of the incident WYP said: "At about 9pm last night [Thursday, September 15], officers were attending an address in Cross Ingram Road, Holbeck, Leeds, following concerns being raised about the welfare of the occupants.
"A woman and a child were found dead inside the flat. Although formal identification has not yet been completed, they are believed to be a 30-year-old woman and her 10-year-old son, who both lived at the address.
"While enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of their deaths, officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. A scene remains in place at the address.
Tributes have been pouring in for the Leeds residents who died from Leeds Live readers. Marcelle McGrath said: "Such tragic news. Condolences to the family and friends at such a difficult time. Sending prayers to the mother and son RIP."
Bernica Williams added: "So sad fly high with the angels." Joanne Schofield said: "Absolutely heart-breaking. God bless."
Jan Goddard Kendall said hearing about the incident is "heart-breaking". "So very sad, god bless them both," Karen Sheldon Taylor added.
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