The cases into the murders of two pensioners - whose only link was to have seperately known twisted Leo Barnes - have been closed after his apparent suicide.

Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield of West Midlands Police said neither they or the Metropolitan Police Force were looking for anyone else in connection with murders of Cynthia Beamond and Philip Silverstone.

DI Corfield stopped short of calling Barnes a psychopath because he had been fit to stand trial.

She said: “It was clear to see just what kind of character he was.

“I was shocked to hear of the death of Leo Barnes who was found dead in his prison cell yesterday morning.

"There is nothing in his past to indicate he could have done something like this.”

She added: “Barnes took to the stand in court to give his account last Thursday and was due to be cross examined when he next appeared in court."

The jury had been told that after battering Mrs Beamond to death with a heavy, metal saucepan Barnes took property from her home including the TV, a satnav and jewellery which he sold at pawnbrokers in Birmingham.

Bisexual drug dealer Barnes maintained a three man drug gang had followed him to the home of Mrs Beamond and one of the men were responsible for her shocking murder.

He then drove to London to see Mr Silverstone who murdered was shortly after Barnes arrived in the city.

Barnes claimed to have paid sex with a Polish man who was visiting Mr Silverstone before getting into an altercation about money, this led to the pensioner intervening and the Polish man attacking him.

DI Corfield believes the Barnes was the killer as the evidence was "overwhelming."

She said: “Cynthia’s family have been present in court every day and have naturally drawn their own conclusions from the evidence they have heard and the timing of Barnes’ death.

"Neither West Midlands Police nor the Metropolitan Police will be looking for anyone else in connection with the murders. The evidence in this case was overwhelming.”