The heartbroken family of a mum who was stabbed to death by her boyfriend has suffered a second devastating tragedy.
Melissa Liddle was found dead in bed by her brother Liam, who went searching for her when she failed to contact her relatives on Mother’s Day.
Liam, 21, had tried to revive his beloved sister, who suffered 41 stab wounds at the hands of her jealous boyfriend Anthony Ross.
Now, in a tragic twist, Liam has now also been found dead, reports the Newcastle Chronicle.
Liam was discovered last Friday and an investigation into the cause of his death is under way.
A spokeswoman for South Tyneside Coroner’s office said: “An inquest into the death of Liam Liddle was opened and adjourned on Monday.
"We were notified the 21-year-old South Shields man died on November 27.”
The death comes as another devastating blow to the Liddle family following the killing of Melissa, 23.
Ross killed Melissa, mum to his two young children, in a frenzied knife attack after becoming mentally unwell.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how he had been hearing voices and told his mother he had a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other around the time of the killing.
Ross pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
He had been due to be sentenced in October, however, the case had to be adjourned after a psychiatrist asked for further time to assess Ross’ mental disorder as an in-patient.
Judge Paul Sloan QC, at Newcastle Crown Court, made an interim hospital order for 28 days.
The case was heard again on Wednesday when solicitors asked for a further interim order, lasting until December 23.
During the original case, the court heard how Liam Liddle had been talking on the phone to his mum when he went into Melissa’s home and made the shocking discovery after breaking down her door.
Prosecutor Nick Dry said: “It was Liam who ran upstairs to find his sister’s bloodsoaked body.
“Liam attempted to administer first aid but it was clear she was dead and the emergency services were called.”
Melissa and Liam’s step dad, who was also there when the door was broken down, said in a victim impact statement that what they found that day was “hell, the worst sight".
He said the shocking discovery was “incomprehensible”.
At Ross’ sentencing hearing, Melissa’s mum, Tracey Keighley, revealed she was on the phone to Liam when he found his sister’s body.
In a victim impact statement, Mrs Keighley also paid tribute to her “strong and beautiful” daughter, who worked as a florist.
Mrs Keighley said: “In the 23 years of her short life I had the greatest pleasure to watch my first born grow up to be a strong, sincere and beautiful young woman.
“She made me so proud every day and I feel privileged to call her my daughter.
"She would light up the room with her smile and achieved success in every area.
“Her children, aged five and one, were her little rays of sunshine.”
Mrs Keighley said her daughter loved celebrating special days and she knew something was not right on March 15 this year when she didn’t show up on Mother’s Day.
She said: “I will forever be haunted by the events of Mother’s Day.
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “At 9.40am on Friday, November 27, police received a report of concern for a man at an address in Wawn Street in South Shields.
“Officers attended and a man aged in his 20s was found.
"He was pronounced dead at the scene. There’s believed to be no third party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
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