Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The partner of one of two men found dead in a flat yesterday died last month in mysterious circumstances.
The bodies of the middle-aged victims - understood to be friends James Atkinson and Neil Gilmore - were discovered when police were called to the address in Burnley, Lancashire, yesterday afternoon.
Mr Gilmore, known as "Gilly", lived at the flat in Waddington Avenue and was said by neighbours to have had problems with alcohol, while Mr Atkinson lived a few blocks away in Brunshaw Avenue.
A separate investigation is under way into the death of Mr Atkinson's partner, Pamela Brown, 43, who died on September 7.
It is thought that police were looking at links between her case and the double murder.
An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned last month as histology and toxicology tests were ordered.
The mother of three died in Blackburn Royal Hospital just three days after the death of her father, Trevor Brown, 68, a lecturer at Burnley College, who had been ill for some time.
Neighbours gathered in the street on the sprawling council estate last night as white-suited forensics officers scoured the property for evidence and studied the flat's entrance.
Nursery nurse Debbie Chadburn, who lives opposite Mr Gilmore's flat, said he lived there "for a good few years".
"He was the kind of guy who kept himself to himself but was very loud when he had taken a drink, which he did often, every day.
"He was in his 50s and disabled, walking with a stick and he had no use in his left side.
"He had lots of visitors at the flat.
"He had friends who came around and looked after him when he was in no fit state to look after himself.
"Some young girls would go round as well - I'm not sure if they were friends of his helpers."
Mr Gilmore's next-door neighbour, landscaping student Martin Meeks, 21, said: "I was out at college this afternoon when the bodies were found.
"I really don't know much about him but I never heard any rows or anything in the past."
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "The deaths are being treated as suspicious and an investigation is now under way.
"It is a double murder investigation. No arrests have been made."
Mr Atkinson had moved into the ground-floor flat in Waddington Avenue following an arson attack at his home in Brunshaw Avenue last month - less than a fortnight after the death of his partner.
Pam Brown had three children - Kenny, Krystal and Lee - from a previous marriage.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments