A mother killed herself and her two young daughters in a murder-suicide in Greater Manchester, police have revealed.
Police are treating the deaths of Tiffany Stevens and her daughters, Casey, aged three, and one-year-old Darcey, whose bodies were found in their home in Bolton as murder.
They were discovered at the property on Monday 21 January after concerns were raised for the welfare of a woman. On that same evening Tiffany’s brother and ex-boyfriend were allegedly heard shouting outside.
It has also emerged that the family were known to social services and that Bolton Council officials had been in touch with Tiffany before her death.
In comments made on Facebook, Ms Steven’s brother Jamie Cunliffe also professed that he had ‘really wanted to help’ his 27-year-old sister and that he was ‘gutted’.
Tiffany Stevens and her daughters Casey and Darcey (left) were discovered at the property in Bolton, Ms Stevens (right) is thought to be 27-years-old
Concerns had been raised for the welfare of Tiffany Stevens (pictured above)
Before she took her own life, Ms Stevens posted a number of motivational posts on her Facebook page.
One image she shared read: ‘A lot of walking away will do your life good. Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere.
‘Walk away from people who deliberately put you down. Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth […]
‘The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be.’
Another post she shared said: ‘To the givers, forgivers, & selfless lovers out there… keep being beautiful, don’t let this cold world change you, and take advantage of every little moment you are given.’
The death of Ms Stevens is not being treated as suspicious and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of her children.
None of the three have yet been formally identified as detectives continue their inquiries in liaison with the coroner.
Before she took her own life, Ms Stevens posted a number of motivational posts on her Facebook page. One read: ‘Don’t let this cold world change you, and take advantage of every little moment you are given’
Police were stationed outside the property in Arthur Street in Little Lever, Bolton (pictured above)
Ms Stevens (left) had been described as a ‘brilliant mum’ and her brother Jamie Cunliffe (right with Ms Stevens) said on Facebook that he was going to ‘miss her so much’
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family at this unimaginably difficult time.
‘Specialist officers will continue to support them while they deal with the loss of their loved ones.
‘This was an extremely upsetting case that has affected the family, friends, the local community and everyone at GMP who has been involved with it.
Jamie (left), Tiffany (centre) and Casie (right) pictured together
‘I would like to thank my fellow officers for their professionalism and diligence over the past 48 hours and the local community for their cooperation and patience.’
Police were called to the property in Arthur Street, Little Lever, shortly before 3.50pm on Monday.
On Tuesday, neighbour Annmarie Crossland, 36, said she was first alerted when relatives were heard ‘screaming and shouting’ in the alleyway at the back of the house.
She described Ms Stevens as a ‘brilliant mum’ and said her own four children played with Ms Stevens’s daughters.
Ms Crossland added: ‘They were gorgeous little kids. Great, really nice.
‘She would take them to the park and into Bolton. They were very friendly.’
Jamie Cunliffe, 29, whose sister Ms Stevens, 27, was found dead alongside the bodies of her little girls posted a tribute to the ‘three angels’ on Facebook.
Mr Cunliffe also thanked relatives and friends for ‘message after message’ of support and urged them to ‘send all your prayers to Tiffany and the girls’.
Miss Stevens’s daughters Caisie, three, and Darcie, were also found dead at the property
Ms Stevens’ brother Jamie posted a heartfelt tribute to his sister and his nieces on Facebook (pictured above)
Ex-Bolton Council worker Mr Cunliffe posted a series of photographs of him with his sister and nieces on Facebook.
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday 23, he wrote: ‘As most of you all probably already know, yes, it is true. Sadly to say we have lost three angels – Tiffany and the babies.’
As tributes poured in, he then added at about 10.30am yesterday: ‘My brain is racked with all the love and support for us all. I just can’t cope with message after message.
‘I only found out last night myself. Can’t thank you all at once but need to have a bit of time alone to think. Send all your prayers to Tiffany and the girls.’
Mr Cunliffe then added: ‘I love and gonna miss you so bad, Tiffany. You are gone. I really wanted to help you. I am so gutted.’
A gas engineer was seen at the property on Tuesday but initial reports the trio died of carbon monoxide poisoning were ruled out.
A GoFundMe page was set up by a friend of the family to help raise money to pay for the funeral of Ms Stevens and her children.
Chelsea Parden-Bell Bradbury set up the page and said: ‘This will help to pay towards the funeral for our 3 angels any amount will help our family at this sad heartbroken time and thanks in advance from all of us xxx’
The page has currently raised £264 of its £1,000 goal.
Well wishers commented on the page with one saying: ‘sleep tight beautiful angels’ and another having commented that ‘the family need every penny at this time’.