Sunderland police investigations: Latest on three separate inquiries into four deaths in city

Following a week that saw major police investigations across the city, we look at the latest updates on three separate incidents which resulted in the deaths of four people.

On Monday, February 24, police confirmed they were investigating a suspected murder after human remains were found inside a private garage in Tunstall Village Green, Silksworth.

Detectives later revealed that the suspected murder victim was 53-year-old Mark Herron, of New Silksworth.

In a separate incident two days later, on February 26, police discovered the bodies of mother Janice Woolford and her son Michael in Satley Gardens and a second murder probe was launched.

On Friday, February 28, police were called to a house in Lumley Street, Millfield, and an investigation is currently ongoing into the ‘unexplained’ death.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed: “There is no link whatsoever into these respective incidents.”

Tunstall Village Green murder probe – Monday, February 24

Who is the victim?

Northumbria Police confirmed Mark Herron, a 53-year-old from New Silksworth, died in the fire which tore through the garage overnight on Tuesday, February 18.

Specialist officers continue to support his family, who paid tribute to him in a statement.

They said: “We are absolutely devastated by Mark’s death. Words can’t describe the pain we are feeling as we try to come to terms with our loss.”