Children left orphaned by tragedy

The bodies were found when officers forced their way into the house

Four children have been left orphaned after the discovery of the bodies of a man and woman in a house in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Kelly Anne Smith, 23, was found dead in bed and Robert Edward Johnson, 27, was found hanged in the bedroom of the property in Slingsby Crescent.

Police officers forced their way into the house on Wednesday night after neighbours raised the alarm.

The couple had four children, the eldest of which was seven.

Those living near the house said they had raised the alarm after becoming concerned about the woman, who had lived at the house for the past eight years.

She had not been seen since Monday when shouting was heard at the house.

Officers said post-mortem examinations carried out confirmed Mr Johnson had died as a result of hanging, while Ms Smith had been subjected to a serious assault.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said further tests were required to confirm the exact cause of her death.

The house was sealed off while inquiries continued.

A neighbour, Tanya Taggart, told BBC Look North: "I can't get my head around it, I don't think it has hit me properly.

"I see her all the time and I always talk to her, she is lovely. When I heard what had happened I just couldn't believe it."