Man, 21, charged with murder after bodies of croupier, 26, and fiancée, 20, found in Thornaby flat

Detectives have charged a 21-year-old man with the alleged murder of an engaged couple who were found dad in a flat.

A murder investigation was launched after Police found the bodies of a man and a woman were found in a flat on Thornaby Road in Thornaby, North Yorkshire at around 2.10pm on Wednesday.

The pair have now been formally identified as casino croupier Antonino Calabro, 26, – known as Nino – and his fiancée Francesca Di Dio, 20, who are both from Italy.

Officers confirmed that Andrea Cardinale, of Thornaby Road, has been charged with two counts of murder. He will appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 26.

Detectives have charged a 21-year-old man with the alleged murder of engaged Italian couple Antonino Calabro (right of left photo), 26, and his fiancée Francesca Di Dio (left of left photo and right), 20, who were found dad in a flat in North Yorkshire on Wednesday

Nino worked as a table games dealer at a casino in Stockton and was being visited by Francesca at the time of the alleged murder

Cleveland Police have since released photographs of Mr Calabro and Miss Di Dio and their families are both being supported by specially trained officers.

A cordon remains in place at the scene of the alleged incident and this is expected to remain in place for a number of days.

Following the deaths, well-wishers laid flowers outside the flats where the alleged incident took place, which used to be the former Royal George pub. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the usually quiet community.

Crime scene investigators could be seen carrying evidence bags and working in the building on Wednesday afternoon, and a police cordon was erected blocking access to the property. A police officer was guarding the scene throughout the evening as nearby residents stopped and asked police what had happened. 

Mr Calabro worked as a table games dealer at a casino in Stockton and was being visited by Miss Di Dio at the time of the alleged murder.

‘Can’t quite believe it… Nino Calabrò rest in peace man,’ wrote one of Mr Calabro’s colleagues

One of Mr Calabro’s colleagues wrote: ‘Can’t quite believe it… Nino Calabrò rest in peace man.

‘Can’t believe I was only talking to you on Sunday, gonna miss you loads – you were such a laugh to work with.’

Another said: ‘Such sad news to wake up to this morning. R.I.P Nino Calabrò will always remember you for your amazing customer service and such a big personality. You will be missed by so many and the casino won’t be the same without you.’

And a third co-worker posted: ‘I’m speechless you and your girlfriend didn’t deserve this fate, I only knew you for 3 months and you were a golden boy who brought joy every day at the academy.’

A friend of Miss Di Dio’s wrote: ‘I can’t believe this. She was my classmate and school mate and she was such a good girl R.I.P beautiful angel. Together with your love.’

The couple had been engaged for three years and Mr Calabro asked Miss Di Dio to spend time with him over the Christmas holidays, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa. His parents have left Italy for London, from where they will travel to the North East, it is reported.

Pictures showed the area around the property cordoned off, with two police vans at the scene and forensic officers re-entering the property. One resident said: ‘It all happened around 3.30pm, all the police appeared.

‘It’s obviously something going on in the flats, the police have been going in and out. I’ve asked them what’s happened but they won’t say. I’ve young kids, it’s concerning.’