HAMMER KILLER HANGS HIMSELF
Man accused of cop parents’ murder found dead in cell
THE Lithuanian man accused of the double murder of a cop’s parents with a lump hammer has been found DEAD in his prison cell.
Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, was charged over the brutal deaths of Avtar and Carole Kolar at their home in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, earlier this month.
West Midlands Police confirmed he was found dead in his cell at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes, Bucks, on Saturday.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “HMP Woodhill prisoner Rimvydas Liorancas was found hanging in his cell at 8.52am on Saturday January 28.
“Staff tried resuscitation and paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at 9.30am.
As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will be conducting an investigation.”
Mr Kolar, 62, and his 58-year-old wife had been married for 40 years and had four kids.
The couple were found dead at their home on Jan 11, having suffered blunt force trauma to the head.
Their bodies were discovered by their policeman son, Jason.
At an emotional press conference the day after the couple were found, their daughter, Michelle Kirwan, 39, and her brother, Avtar Kolar, 32, said their hearts had been “broken forever”.
Manhunt
Their parents were thought to have been killed in a bungled burglary and items that had been stolen from the property were recovered.
Liorancas was arrested at an address in Birmingham on Jan 16 following a manhunt.
He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Jan 23, where he spoke only to confirm his name. He was due to appear before the court again for a plea hearing on May 25 and a trial date was fixed for Aug 28.
Liorancas was not considered at risk of suicide or self-harm.
Details of the death of Liorancas were kept secret while his family in Lithuania were informed of his death.
Police have said the motive for the couple’s murders was nothing to do with their policeman son’s job, police work with gangs, or the theft of gold.
The murder weapon used was a lump hammer recovered at the scene.