Twins brothers who appeared in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding died in a suspected ‘suicide pact’ after a cancer diagnoses and battle with depression, their family has revealed.
Billy and Joe Smith, both 32, were named by friends and family as the victims of a double death being investigated by police.
Police in Kent closed a lane in the Sevenoaks area after the bodies were discovered in a tree just before midday on Saturday morning.
Just days before their suspected suicide, the pair were filmed dancing and singing together.
The family is believed to have previously expressed concern for the pair, who were found just days after Christmas and their birthday on December 16.
Their cousin, Phoebe Charleen Smith, said that Joe had been diagnosed with cancer, and this had deeply affected his brother, Billy.
The two brothers (pictured above) had previously appeared on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
The scene on Dibden Lane near the A21 where the two brothers were found in Kent on Saturday
Their cousin, Phoebe Charleen Smith, posted a number of tributes to the brothers, as did other members of their friends and family
She told The Telegraph: ‘Joey had cancer, and Billy told him ‘I’d never be able to live without you.’
Their cousin, Phoebe Charleen Smith, said that Joe had been diagnosed with cancer, and this had deeply affected his brother, Billy
‘Joey told the family he got the all-clear after chemo two months ago, but we don’t know if that’s true now.
‘They went missing, and Joey’s phone was turned off, so we knew something went wrong.
‘Then we found a note saying they wanted it like this, and we would find them in the woods where they played together as children years ago. My Uncle ran up there and found them.’
A source told the newspaper that the family were concerned that the duo were battling depression.
Friends and family members who knew the two brothers took to social media to pay tribute to the men, who were ‘loved all over the world.’
Billy’s partner Kristina Davey, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, described him as ‘perfect, pure and lovely’ in a heartbreaking tribute.
She said: ‘Hardest day of my life. RIP my perfect Bill, you were so pure so lovely.
‘You made me the happiest girl – did everything for me, showed me love I never had. You always see stuff like this but you just never think it’ll happen to you.
Co-star Paddy (pictured above) took to Facebook and asked his followers to pray for their families
During their stint on the show the two brothers (above) talked about their lifestyle
Phoebe Charleen Smith posted a number of tributes to the brothers on her social media, including this picture of Joe
‘I can’t believe I have to type this together struggling to speak never mind put a sentence together. I’m gonna make you so so proud my Bill, my life, my angel.’
Paddy Doherty, who co-starred in the popular Channel 4 show with the twins, took to Facebook and asked his followers to pray for their families, and in a video described the duo as ‘angels’.
He said: ‘They were two good looking boys…God bless their souls… it is a terrible tragedy. Pray for the boy’s family, for his mother and father.
‘I’m very sorry for their troubles from the bottom of my heart. May god look after them, may god have mercy on them, they are two angels, harmless, they were unbelievable…they’re in the kingdom of heaven walking on gold.’
Billy Welch, a spokesman for Britain’s Romani community, told The Telegraph, the community often ‘suffers in silence.’
Mr Welch said: ‘This tragedy should be a wake-up call about high suicide rates among the travelling community.
‘Life can be very difficult for Romany people and travellers, and they often suffer in silence.’
Many took to social media to pay tribute to the brothers (pictured above) after their bodies were found on Saturday
During their time on the show the twins were filmed on their way to Tenerife and had discussed getting married
The Scene On Dibden Lane Near The A21 where the two brothers were found dead yesterday
Billy lived in a ground floor flat in Weald, which was accessed through the black door in the right of this picture. He is understood to have moved in about 18 months ago
Billy’s neighbour, who lives in Weald, told the Sun the twin had moved in about 18 months ago.
He added: ‘I am just totally stunned. He was such a lovely guy. We got on well.
‘There were no signs that anything like this would happen. Although he did seem more reserved the last month or so. I just put it down to the winter weather.’
The twin brothers are pictured together, understood to be in Tenerife
‘But they had that special bond that twins have. They were ever so close. They lived for each other.’
A tribute page has since been set up for the men and has already received nearly 2,000 likes.
One user posted: ‘RIP bill and Joe my God give you the best bed in heaven still don’t seem true one-of-a-kind rest in peace boys.’
Another said: ‘I wish is was a dream x they will be sadly missed by all that knew them x i hope the family find answers to there questions.’
One one added: ‘Two young boys came in to the world together and left the world to heaven together sleep tight angels.’
Family member Phoebe Charleen Smith told Mirror Online: ‘My cousins were loved all over the world, as you can see.’
The brothers had starred in the third series of hit Channel 4 show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. They were 24-years-old at the time and had been working as gardeners.
During one episode they were vocal about their traveller lifestyle and discussed their plans to get married.
The pair had worked as gardeners and were pictured above working during the show
The family is believed to have previously expressed concern for the 32-year-old pair, who were named locally following the discovery – just days after Christmas
One local resident said the area was well out of view of passing cars or dog walkers.
‘It’s horrific — and just after Christmas. I feel desperately sorry for their loved ones.
‘I heard the police cars head down there earlier and then the cordons were in place.
The average house price in the leafy area comes in at around £640,000.
In a statement Kent Police said: ‘Kent Police was called at 11.34am on Saturday 28 December 2019 after the bodies of two men were discovered in Dibden Lane, Sevenoaks.
‘Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing but they are not currently being treated as suspicious.
‘The next of kin of both men are aware and are being kept updated.’
It is believed an inquest will be carried out in the New Year.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, alternatively you can visit the website at by clicking here.