Terminally ill pensioner and his wife in their 70s died of 'gunshot wounds' at their £130k bungalow, police reveal
A terminally ill pensioner and his wife died of 'gunshot wounds' at their £130,000 bungalow, police have revealed.
Peter Leese, 78, and Dora Leese, 76, were named by Staffordshire Police today after post-mortem examinations found that the couple had died of 'gunshot wounds' at their home in Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent.
Officers and paramedics were called to the scene just before 2pm on April 20 to reports that two bodies had been found inside a bungalow.
Peter and Dora, who neighbours say were 'devoted' to each other, were pronounced dead at 2.15pm.
The £130,000 bungalow where Peter and Dora Leese were found dead on Saturday April 20
Staffordshire Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the 'tragic incident' but are yet to disclose whether a firearm was found at the property.
Neighbour George Ebrill said he was called by another neighbour who said: 'There has been a shooting in Catalina Place'.
He said Peter had only been discharged from the Royal Stoke University Hospital that afternoon.
The 84-year-old said he'd spoken to the couples son earlier in the day before the incident.
He said: 'I saw their son. I went across and said, "How is your dad?".
'He turned around and was beaming all over his face and said, "He is a lot better, he is coming home this afternoon".
'I never heard a shooting or anything else. I understand someone must have come up and seen what had happened.'
Staffordshire Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the 'tragic incident' but are yet to disclose whether a firearm was found at the property
He added: 'Dora and Peter were so devoted to each other. I would like to know what exactly happened. Dora used to play bowls for Creda with the wife. It is very sad.
'You hear things like this on the news. You never think it is going to happen on your doorstep.'
Police are still attempting to piece together the last-known movements of Peter and Dora. Anyone with information should call the force on 101 and quote incident number 409 of April 20.
A police spokeswoman said: 'The man and woman who died in Meir Park can now be named. Peter Leese, aged 78, and his wife, Dora Leese, aged 76, were sadly both found dead at their home in Catalina Place just before 2pm on April 20. They were both pronounced dead at 2.15pm.
'Following the post-mortem examinations, their deaths are attributed to gunshot wounds. Further tests are due to take place. We are continuing to investigate Peter and Dora's deaths but we would like to reassure the community that we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic incident. Their family continue to be supported by specialist officers.'
