West Midlands 'murder-suicide': Husband and wife found dead

  • Published
James and Amy BarnesImage source, Facebook
Image caption,
Mr Barnes updated his Facebook profile picture hours before his body was found

A husband and wife in their 30s have been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide, police say.

The couple, who the BBC understands to be James and Amy Barnes, were found about 20 miles apart in the West Midlands.

The body of Mr Barnes was found in the garden of a home in Linforth Drive, Streetly, at about midnight by emergency services.

About 40 minutes later, his wife's body was discovered in Rednal, Birmingham.

Media caption,

West Midlands Police investigates 'murder-suicide'

West Midlands Police said: "At this early stage, it's understood the woman was murdered before the man took his own life in the garden of the Streetly address."

Mr Barnes updated his Facebook profile picture to an image of the pair on their wedding day at 21:12 BST on Monday - just hours before his body was discovered.

Image source, Facebook
Image caption,
The bodies of the couple were found about 20 miles apart

Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC he was "a bit numb" after hearing the news.

Image caption,
Flowers were brought to the scene as news spread

Police have cordoned off the property in Streetly and the address in Cofton Park Close, Rednal, while inquiries continue.

Post-mortem examinations will take place in due course, a force spokesman added.

Image caption,
The man was found in the garden of a property in Linforth Drive

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