Detectives are investigating after a man and woman died in ‘unexplained’ circumstances in Rastrick .
The grim discovery was made by police in Smith Crescent at around 6pm last night after concerns for the welfare of the two people living there.
The woman, named locally as Michelle Harrison who is believed to be in her 20s, had lived in the flat for around a year, according to her neighbours.
The dead man is thought to be her partner.
The Examiner understands there had been a fire at the property but no further details surrounding the circumstances of the tragedy have been released.
A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman confirmed the deaths are being treated as ‘unexplained’.
The property remained cordoned off this afternoon (Tuesday) to allow scenes of crime investigators, working alongside fire investigators, to carry out a detailed forensic examination.
Michelle’s brother left a poignant message on his Facebook page.
He posted: “For everyone who knew my sister Michelle and her partner we would like to let everyone know as a family we have had a great loss. Once everything is established we will all let you know. We are as astonished and upset as you all.”
He continued: “What an amazing couple the skies have gained. We love you to the moon and back my best friend xxx”
Neighbours have told they were shocked to hear that two people have died in the quiet cul-de-sac.
Michelle’s downstairs neighbour told how her fire alarm went off in the early hours of Saturday morning but someone else saw her on Saturday afternoon at the flat’s window.
The property had Christmas decorations in the window which could still be seen through what appeared to be soot on the window from a fire.
The downstairs neighbour said: “The fire alarm went off at about 3am or 4am.
“I just shouted up to her because I thought she’d left something cooking. It’s happened before where she’s accidentally left something on. I heard her shouting and she’d managed to put it out.
“I couldn’t see anything when I looked outside and it went quiet so I went to bed.
“I didn’t see her after that but my daughter is adamant she saw her at her window on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s awful that I didn’t know there were two deceased people in the flat above me until Monday night."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “They didn’t bother with anyone. They kept themselves to themselves.
“I’d only said hello to the lad a couple of times. It was her flat and he just stayed with her.
“It’s a shame. Such young lives.”
Resident Danny Dakin, 18, said: “The police knocked on my door and asked if we saw anything but I didn’t know then. It’s shocking that two people have died.
“I’ve never been so close to anything like that.”
