Newark deaths: Husband and wife named locally after being found dead in home

A husband and wife who were found dead at home have been named locally. The pair were pronounced dead by officers after they were found inside a property on Blackbrook Road, Newark, on Tuesday, June 25.

They have been named locally as Mark Simmons, 59, and his wife Rachael Simmons, 54. Residents in the area have expressed their sadness over their deaths and the residential street had a very sombre atmosphere.

The road was reportedly closed at around 10.30am and remained closed until the evening. The incident was attended by Nottinghamshire Police as well as Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.

As of 12pm on Wednesday, June 26, a cordon remained in place at the property with police officers at the scene. Regarding the initial response yesterday, a resident who lives nearby said: “There was everything here yesterday.

"There were fire engines, ambulances, there was a helicopter in the sky, there were five crime scene investigation vans that turned up. I think the road closed around 10.30am and probably reopened around 8pm.”

A 37-year-old resident in the area said: “The air ambulance came but landed on the other estate and then it looked like the doctor was brought over in a police car."

He continued: "It was everything, practically everything. There were rural police, there were armed police, I think at one point there were 14 emergency vehicles all parked along here.

"We hear sirens here a lot as we are near the A1 and then all of a sudden it sounded a lot closer and then I looked out the window and saw the ambulance there and minutes after that the road was being taped off with police tape."

Another resident in the area who asked to remain anonymous described the incident as "tragic" and not the sort of thing you would expect to happen in the area. He stated: "It's very sad.

"There were about nine emergency vehicles here at least." He went on to explain that he believes the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance landed at the Blatherwick Playing Fields.

Detective Inspector Craig Hall, who is leading the investigation, said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected by this tragic incident. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding these two deaths is ongoing and is very much in its early stages.

“I’d like to reassure members of the community that while we are keeping an open mind, we do not currently believe there is any wider risk to the public. We would also ask the public to respect the privacy of family members at what is an incredibly difficult time for them. They are being supported by specially trained officers."