TV paramedic found dead alongside woman as police launch murder investigation

A murder investigation has been launched after a television paramedic was found dead alongside a woman at a property in Staffordshire.

The bodies of Daniel Duffield, 24 and Lauren Evans, 22 were discovered at a house in Hednesford, Cannock, about 12:30pm on Tuesday.

Mr Duffield worked for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) and featured in Channel 4’s 999: On the Front Line, which follows paramedics as they attend call-outs.

Staffordshire Police said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of “recent contact” in relation to the deaths.

A spokesman for WMAS said that they were called to the property in Alpine Drive following a “concern for welfare call”.

They added: “After gaining access to the property at just before 12.20pm, paramedics found a man and a woman inside.

“Sadly, it was immediately obvious that nothing could be done to save them and ambulance staff immediately alerted Staffordshire Police”.

Ellie, who was Mr Duffield’s crew mate on the Channel 4 series, said she spoke to her friend on the phone about an hour before he was found dead.

She wrote in a tribute on Instagram: “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, but I just want to express how special you were to me, not only my best friend at work and the best crew mate, but one of my best friends who had a massive impact on day-to-day life.”

Mr Duffield’s sister Chelsea Duffield, wrote in a tribute on Facebook: “Never ever thought I’d have to write this post, my beautiful brother has left us today I’m so distraught you’ve gone.

“I will never come to terms with it that you’re no longer here. You were such a bright soul, always helping other people, making them smile, laugh (and) saving lives, but unfortunately you couldn’t help yourself.”

‘Helped hundreds of patients’

Richard Barratt, a senior operations manager at the West Midlands Ambulance Service, described Mr Duffield’s death as a “great tragedy”.

He added: “I hope Daniel’s family can take some comfort from the hundreds of patients he helped through his time as a paramedic. Our thoughts go out to the families of both of those found at the scene.”

Ms Evan’s family in the village of Pen-y-fai, near Bridgend, south Wales, said they were too upset to talk on Thursday.

Ms Evans was a student mental health nurse who graduated from Swansea University before moving 140 miles to Staffordshire

Her family were described as “close-knit and very nice” by the neighbours in the village.

‘Shaken the local community’

Det Supt Nicki Addison, of Staffordshire’s major investigations department, said:

“I know this news has understandably shaken the local community. I’d like to reassure everyone that we’ve got a specialist team of officers working extensive hours to fully investigate what happened and support the families of those affected.

“We completely understand that lots of people want to know more about what happened, but we’d like to reiterate that speculation isn’t helpful to families at this distressing time.”