DOUBLE TRAGEDY
Shock as couple are found dead together in house
A COUPLE who had recently found happiness with one another have been found dead together.
The bodies of Tony Lightburn and Rachel Wiszniewska were discovered at 35-year-old Tony’s Newcastle home last Saturday morning.
Police are not treating their deaths as suspicious, and relatives are now making arrangements for their funerals.
Loved ones of Rachel, who was 36, have launched a fundraising drive to raise cash for her send-off.
And today a life-long pal of Tony has paid tribute to her childhood friend, and told how happy he had seemed with his new partner.
Hayley Murray, who met Tony when they were at school together, said: “They hadn’t been together very long but she seemed like a lovely girl and they both seemed really, really happy together.
“I was buzzing for him. It’s such a shame. It’s a bit of a Romeo and Juliet [situation].”
Taxi driver Tony grew up in the Deckham area of Gateshead with parents Lyn and Wizz and brother Chris.
Tattoo artist Hayley, 36, said he had always been a big character.
“I have known him since primary school. We grew up together,” she explained.
“He was as daft as a brush, he was a little tinker, but me and him were always the ones that stuck up for one another.
“With him being mixed race he got a little bit of stick in the 80s, but he gave as good as he got.
“I only met Rachel once but she seemed lovely.”
Emergency services were called to Tony’s home, on Monkchester Road in Walker, on Saturday morning.
Rachel and Tony were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say they do not believe anyone else was involved, and officers prepared a report for the coroner.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “At 9.43am on Saturday we received a report of concern for welfare for two people at an address in Monkchester Road, Walker.
“Police and emergency services attended the address, where they found an unresponsive male and female.
“The 35-year-old man and the 36-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene. “Their families are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time. “There is not believed to be any third-party involvement. “A report has been prepared for the coroner.” Hayley found out what had happened to her friend when she received a message while having a meal with her partner on the Quayside, on Saturday night.
“I just burst into tears,” she said. “I rang up Tony’s dad to see if it was true and he said it wasn’t a rumour.”
Tony’s funeral will be held at 10.15am on Friday at Newcastle’s West Road Cemetery and will be followed by a wake at the PTE Club in Byker.
A death notice placed in The Chronicle says: “Tony Carrick (T). Dearly loved son of Wizz and Lyn.
“Also a much loved brother of Chris.
“T will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends.
“Please meet for service at the West Road Cemetery Chapel on Friday, December 14 at 10.15am, followed by interment in the West Road Cemetery.
“Flowers welcome or donations, if desired, to the People’s Kitchen [homelessness charity].
“All welcome back to the PTE Club in Byker for refreshments.”
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Rachel online.
Jaz Holder, has set up a fundraising page on Facebook.
He wrote: “As most of you know we have lost two very special people this week and already we now need to start thinking about a funeral.
“If you can give anything small or large it would be totally appreciated.
“This is a shock to the full family and we were never prepared for this.
“So we need to gather some funds if you can help.”
So far more than £1,000 has been donated to the fundraising effort.
He was as daft as a brush, he was a little tinker, but me and him were always the ones that stuck up for one another Hayley Murray