A COUPLE who were left heartbroken after their dog had died were found dead in their gas-filled home on the first day of the new national lockdown. Stanley Grout, 79, and his wife June, 80, were found dead on Thursday in their semi-detached home in Dereham, Norfolk. Police are treating their deaths as “unexplained”, but […]
A COUPLE who were left heartbroken after their dog had died were found dead in their gas-filled home on the first day of the new national lockdown.
Stanley Grout, 79, and his wife June, 80, were found dead on Thursday in their semi-detached home in Dereham, Norfolk.
Police are treating their deaths as “unexplained”, but they believe that there is no indication that anyone was involved.
The pair were found by cops just before 12pm yesterday after neighbours reported they were unresponsive.
Police, firefighters and ambulance crews including paramedics in a Hazardous Area Response Team attended and the couple were pronounced dead at the scene.
Residents of nearby homes were evacuated and not allowed to return for five hours while firefighters and paramedics in chemical protection suits went in and out of the house.
Family friend Tina Myhill said: “They were both getting on a bit and getting poorly.
“I know June was really ill. She had arthritis in her knees and a stomach problem.
“He was always getting her medicine from Boots, and I think he had arthritis in his hands.
“They went a bit downhill after they lost their dog Lulu earlier this year,” the 42-year-old admitted.
“They were heartbroken to lose her because they were real animal lovers.
“He always had dog treats in his pocket and would give them to any dog he came across,” Ms Myhill said.
The 42-year-old said she was “shocked to bits” about what had happened.
Stanley, nicknamed Grouty, loved to crack a joke.
“He was very comical and loved to tell a joke. When I was a little girl, he would bring us little treats on Valentine’s Day and we would call him Father Valentine.
“I used to see him out and about when he was having a flutter in the bookies,” Ms Myhill said.
A near neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “I would speak to the man quite often. He would often say hello.
“I last saw him about two or three days ago working on his car in front of his house, but I had not seen his wife for two or three weeks. He was always polite and friendly.”
Sales administrator Natasha Thew, 32, who lives two doors away from Mr and Mrs Grout, said: “They were always very nice.
“I would see them at weekends and he would always put his hand up to say hello. I didn’t see so much of her. It would be usually be when they were getting in the car together.
“She had a couple of walking sticks and was a bit unstable.
“I am pretty sure that he carried on going to the shops in the last lockdown.”
Heidi-Marie Cocks, who lives on the street with her one-year-old daughter, said: “There was police, fire and ambulance crews outside and doctors around as well.
Ms Cocks said after being asked to leave their homes, people were standing outside while unsure when they would be able to return.
She added: “It’s such a quiet estate, you never expect anything like this to happen, it’s very scary.
“At one point there were six ambulances here and four fire engines – you just don’t expect anything like this to happen.”
A Norfolk Police statement said: “Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man and woman in Dereham.
“Emergency services were called to a property in Old Becclesgate yesterday shortly before 12pm after concerns had been raised for the welfare of a couple.
“The bodies of a man and woman, aged in their 70s and 80s, were found inside the property.
“The deaths continue to be treated as unexplained and a further examination of the scene will be conducted today. Post mortem examinations will be held in due course.
“A cordon has been put in place while enquiries continue. Next of kin have been informed.”
