Friday, July 5, 2013

Merthyr Tydfil deaths: First picture of tragic mum and baby daughter

Residents had not been seen the mum and daughter for around six weeks so a worried neighbour climbed on a wheelie bin and peered in

Cuddle: Joanne with little Harper
Cuddle: Joanne with little Harper
Wales News
A shocked neighbour yesterday described the heart-breaking moment he found the bodies of a mum and her baby.
Tragic Joanne Thomas, 27, and 12-week-old daughter Harper were discovered at their home by worried Sean Williams when he climbed on a wheelie bin and peered in through a bedroom window.
Sean, 30, said: “I saw the baby and it was just terrible.”
It is believed Joanne suffered from post-natal depression.
Police, who last night ruled out the theory the pair died from carbon monoxide poisoning, said they were treating the deaths as “unexplained”.
Residents had become fearful as the mum and daughter had not been seen for around six weeks.
Sean said: “Social services couldn’t gain entry so a few neighbours tried to get into the house around the back.
“I climbed on the wheelie bin and saw everything through the window. I don’t want to say exactly what I saw because it was so upsetting.”
Police officer stands guard as forensic experts carry out work inside house
Tragedy: Police officer stands guard as forensic experts carry out work inside house
 Joanne and Harper were found on Wednesday afternoon at the two-bedroom terrace in Troedyrhiw near Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
A family friend said Joanne’s mum Iris was “hysterical” with grief.
It is understood that Joanne had two other children and that they had been living with her parents.
Joanne’s next-door neighbour Yonni Bengorion, 45, said: “She had a troubled past and had post-natal depression.
"She was a lovely lady and I can’t believe she would harm the baby.” Police said last night they were awaiting postmortem results.
The house is owned by Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association which declined to comment on the tragedy.

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