Couple who were found dead at the same time in the same place died from different causes

A couple who were found dead in the same place at the same time were ruled to have died from different, unrelated, natural causes.

Aleasha Sullivan, 32, and her boyfriend Joshua Sandercock, 30, were both found dead in an apartment in Holcombe in north Devon, UK, on October 21, 2021.

According to reports, concerns were raised about Aleasha's welfare after her support worker flagged that she had not heard from her since October 12.

The Daily Mail reports that police broke down the front door of the property after attending the residence and seeing a body through the letterbox, which was confirmed to be that of the 32-year-old. When searching the property, Joshua's body was then found upstairs.

The house was initially thought to be a crime scene after the couple were both found dead inside, however, medical examinations revealed that Aleasha had been deceased for several days before she was found, and that both she and Joshua had died from independent natural causes.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr. Deborah Cook concluded that Aleasha died from a blood clot, while Joshua's cause of death was ruled as pneumonia.

The report also noted that the 32-year-old was found with needle marks on her body but a toxicology report confirmed that the level of heroin present in her system was not such that it would be related to her death.

Mike Bird, Assistant coroner for South Devon said: "I can imagine as a family it is quite a surprising conclusion considering where the investigation started and two people having been found in same premises at the same time.

"The initial and natural speculation was that the two deaths were linked but after that detailed investigation there is no evidence to suggest Aleasha died from anything other than a wholly natural cause."

Aleasha's medical records also stated that she had reported to be in a "good mood" and claimed she had not used any illicit drugs in the previous 12 months.

Her support worker also stated that Aleasha was intent on making a fresh start in her life and had been excited about her future.

How long Joshua had been dead could not be determined, however, there was no evidence of foul play or third-party involvement in either death.

Toxicology reports also showed that Joshua had unprescribed methadone in his system at the time of his death as well as traces of cannabis.

Bird added: "Despite the unusual situation where another person was found deceased at the same address at the same time, there is no evidence after forensic, medical, and police investigations to suggest the causes of death of the two individuals were in any way connected."

The couple's deaths were determined to be natural and unrelated. Credit: Piccell/Getty Images

Dr. Cook added: "The methadone may have tipped the balance in a man suffering pneumonia to result in respiratory compromise that resulted in [Joshua's] death."

Bird concluded: "It can be said very clearly there is no evidence of the suggestion the deaths were connected in any way other than entirely coincidentally.

"Neither one of them had anything to do with the death of the other. I can imagine how the community might view that conclusion. Here we deal with evidence and the evidence clearly from all sources says there was no connection."

Our thoughts remain with the couple's family and friends in the wake of this tragedy.

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