Neighbours have spoken of their shock and sadness at the sudden death of an elderly couple described as the perfect neighbours.

The couple, who have not been named but are believed to be a man in his late 60s and a woman in her 80s, were found died at their home in Greenwood Gardens, Hainault, at 11.05am on Sunday.

Post-mortems took place on Monday and found the couple died of natural causes.

George Purcell, 77, lived opposite the couple since 1961.

He said: “It is a bit of a shock for the road.

“I had known the man since he was about 15 and even took him out when he was learning to drive.

“They were a lovely couple and it is sad that this has happened.”

Police cordoned of the property while investigations took place and according to neighbours left the property at around 5pm.

Next-door neighbour Tina Patel, 39, said: “They were the perfect neighbours, no trouble of any kind.

“They kept themselves to themselves really, but when I saw them I always said hello.”

Holly Joy, 18, and her family lived next-door to the couple for the last 17 years.

She said: “They were really nice. It is quite sad and a bit worrying. One of their daughters came and found them and the door was left open – it’s worried some people because there are families down here with young children.

"My dad is getting flowers later today to lay down for them.”

No arrests have been made and police originally said the deaths were unexplained.

But now the deaths are no longer being treated as suspicious.

An inquest will establish the actual cause of death at a later date. Next of kin have been informed.

 

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