A mum and little girl living in a "quiet" Leeds cul de sac now wake up to a crime scene outside their home following the tragic death of their neighbours.
On Thursday evening, the bodies of a 30-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy were found in a flat in Cross Ingram Road, Holbeck. West Yorkshire Police got a call from concerned residents who had not seen the mum and child for "a while".
One neighbour, who lives two doors down from the home, said the pair had lived in the home for three years but would often visit Portugal, where they're from originally. Neighbours assumed they had gone away for a trip, but as weeks passed, they became "worried".
Read more: Mum and son, 10, found dead inside Leeds flat
The neighbour, who does not wish to be named, added: "They for sure had not been seen for over two weeks because nobody put bins out for collection in that time. She [the mum] normally did it."
After police arrived on Thursday, police tape was put around the house where the mum and son were found, and on a nearby tree. A neighbour said "flashes were coming through the window" as forensic investigations took place.
Residents in Cross Ingram Street told Yorkshire Live on Sunday that the cordon remains in place, and an unmarked police car is guarding the area. 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.
A mum who lives two flats down from the house, said her seven-year-old daughter would often play outside with the 10-year-old boy.
She said: "I live two doors up from the flat. My daughter would play with the lady's son.
"She was always quiet and she spent most of her time in the flat. She would never speak to anyone. We hadn't seen them for a while but we thought she was probably on holiday."
The neighbour added that her and her daughter, aged seven, put a candle outside the house for the pair and lit it. What's more they have spotted other neighbours laying flowers outside.
But when the residents walk outside their home, they are greeted by police tape and an "eerie silence". "The cordon is still in place.
"Police are still watching. They did all night and they still are there", she added.
"It's unbelievable. I just can't sort it out in my head. I feel so sorry for them."
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."
Another resident added: "We’ve seen police here throughout the day." Another said: "It’s just awful isn’t it."
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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