Husband and wife found dead inside own home in double tragedy

An inquest has now been opened and adjourned after Brian and Carol Makin were found dead

A husband and wife were found dead in their own home in a double tragedy.

Inquests into the deaths of Brian Makin, 74, and his wife, Carol Makin, 75, were opened and adjourned by a coroner today - Thursday - at Rochdale Coroner's Court.

A coroner was told police attended the couple's home address, The Woods in Castleton, Rochdale, on February 21, 2024, after a 'concern for welfare' call was received from one of Mr Makin's friends.

The brief hearings - opened separately by assistant coroner Julie Mitchell - heard officers forced entry inside and the couple were found dead at the scene.

Mr Makin, who was born in Oldham, was found in a living room/kitchen area, the court heard. He was described as a retired retail assistant.

Mrs Makin, a retired social care inspector, was born in Manchester. She was sadly found dead in the living room area of their home. That followed the same call from the concerned friend, the inquest heard.

But mystery surrounds the double tragedy as the inquest openings heard post-mortem examinations proved to be 'inconclusive'. As such, the causes of their deaths were said to be 'unascertained'.

Police coroner's officer, Katie Burrows, gave evidence to say medication, post and driving licences in both their names were found inside the house, which is on a cul-de-sac off Royle Road in Castleton, after police searches.

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Photographs on their driving licences were used during the identification process, the court was told. Greater Manchester Police investigated but no suspicious circumstances were found, it was said.

Assistant coroner Ms Mitchell said she had a toxicology report but no details were given at the brief hearings at the court. A date for a full inquest hearing touching both deaths was set for July 11.

Ms Mitchell said: "I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased." No further information was provided.

GMP officers remained outside the detached house on the quiet cul-de-sac for a number of days, the Manchester Evening News reported at the time.

Following the double tragedy, one stunned resident said: "We don’t really know the family but they're an elderly couple. A really nice couple. It’s just two of them. I just moved here a year ago and it’s really weird to see that on your doorstep."

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