FINAL DATE
Channel 4 star & girlfriend, 22, snapped date pic together before bodies found as cops launch murder probe
Tributes have poured in for the pair
A CHANNEL 4 star and his girlfriend snapped a photo together while they were out on a date just days before their bodies were found.
Daniel Duffield, 24, and Lauren Evans, 22, were found dead inside a house by paramedics in Hednesford, Cannock, on Tuesday.
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Daniel shared a photo of himself with Lauren on his Instagram story at a bowling alley just two weeks ago.
He captioned the post: "Friday fun date night."
Cops opened a murder investigation this week when the couple's bodies were discovered inside a house at 12.30pm.
The pair have not yet been formally identified.
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Daniel was a paramedic and star of the Channel 4 show 999: On The Front Line - which follows ambulance crews as they respond to calls.
Duffield appeared on the eleventh series of the show, which followed West Midlands Ambulance crews.
Lauren was a student Mental Health Nurse from Bridgend in South Wales.
It is understood the couple were in a relationship, with their social media accounts littered with images of the pair together.
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His final post showed the pair outside Wembley stadium for the Capital Summertime Ball.
Another of Daniel's posts, featuring a collage of pictures of them together, was captioned: "Appreciation post. For always being there are supporting me! Thankyou for everything, adore you so much."
Tributes have since poured in on social media with many paying their respects to the family.
Daniel's crew mate and co-star on the show Ellie posted a tribute to social media following his "tragic" death.
She said: "Dan I can't believe you're actually gone. Never in a million years did I think I'd have to sit and write this and yet I'm still trying to come to terms with it."
She revealed she'd spoken to Daniel just hours before his death.
She added: "We were meant to go out together this week and I was looking forward to seeing you. Even the phone call we had this morning an hour before you [were] gone I'll never forget, love you forever Dan."
Daniel Duffield stars in Chanel 4 series 999: On the Front Line
A pal on Facebook said: "Sending love and hugs to Lauren’s family absolutely heartbreaking."
Another added: "I love you both so much! But going to miss you both even more.
"Rest in paradise, my beautiful friends."
While a third said Lauren, who had graduated from Swansea University, was "no trouble" and described her as a "lovely girl".
Fans of the show also took to Facebook to share their sadness at the tragic loss.
One user commented: "So sad they both were our heroes."
"Very sad state of affairs," another added.
And a third said: "So sad. RIP Daniel and Lauren. Condolences to family and friends."
A 64-year-old man, who wished to remain unnamed, recalled police arriving on the residential road at around 9am on Wednesday, however, he said there weren't any "sirens or blue lights".
"When I looked out the window, there was a police car down the bottom," he said.
"Paramedics and an ambulance came up the street.
"There was a girl down the bottom, in front of the police car, screaming."
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Police statement in full
Our enquiries into a murder investigation in Hednesford are continuing after two people were found dead inside a house.
At about 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 25 June), we were alerted by our colleagues at West Midlands Ambulance Service who were at an address on Alpine Drive in Hednesford.
Sadly, a woman and a man were found dead inside.
Formal identification is still due to take place, but we believe both of their identities to be 22-year-old Lauren Evans, from Bridgend, South Wales, and 24-year-old Daniel Duffield, from Cannock.
A team of specially-trained officers are continuing to support their families at this distressing time.
We’ve referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to recent police contact.
A number of officers are still in the area today carrying out enquiries to understand more about what happened.
The resident claimed that the incident had shocked those living in the area.
He added: "I've been here for 30 years, I know most of the residents in the street but I don't know them.
"I just know it's a young couple. It is shocking, it's quiet around here.
Lauren's mum Karen, 53, and dad Steven, 54, who live in the village of Pen-y-fai, near Bridgend, are said to be distraught.
The family was described as "quiet" by neighbours and were said to often do things together.
I've been here for 40 years, some of my neighbours have too. We've never experienced anything like this
Resident
A 74-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous said: "I've been here for 40 years, some of my neighbours have too.
"We've never experienced anything like this."
"It's shocking, it's something which you'd see on TV, it's terrible.
"You don't expect to see it over the road. It's the family I feel sorry for."
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West Midlands Ambulance Service said Duffield had been employed by the trust at its hub in Willenhall, the .
Staffordshire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over recent contact.
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