North Wales tragedy mother had link to Black Country

A mother-of-five with family in Wolverhampton is believed to have killed two of her children before taking her own life.

Melanie Stevens, aged 36, is thought to have suffocated Philip, five, and two-year-old Isaac and then hanged herself at their village home in north Wales.

Miss Stevens' grieving mother Pauline Stevens, of Bradmore, Wolverhampton, was being comforted by her daughter Natalie at her home in Coseley today.

She said: "We don't know enough to say anything about this yet."

Miss Stevens' sister Natalie told the Express & Star today the family was too upset to talk.

Police forced their way into the property in Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, at around 8pm on Sunday after relatives were unable to get in.

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "Inside the property police discovered the bodies of an adult and two young children.

"At this early stage it is not possible to state how the occupants died," she added.

A Home Office pathologist was last night conducting post-mortem examinations to establish the causes of death, although police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry.

The tragedy has shocked the village of Trawsfynydd, which has around 700 residents.

Miss Stevens had lived at the house near Capel Moreia in the centre of the village for around 18 months after moving from Blaneau Ffestiniog.

Philip, known as Pip, attended primary school at Ysgol Edmwynd Prys in Gellilydan, three miles away.

School headteacher Gwenan Williams said: "Philip was a very happy popular boy who had made many friends here.

"Melanie, his mother, was a gentle, kindly person who was very supportive of the school.

"She spent days at the school painting wonderful scenes for our Christmas carol concert this year."

Two of Miss Stevens' three older children, sons aged 12 and 14, are thought to live with their father in the Porthmadog area.

Her 16-year-old daughter lives with relatives in the Midlands.

Neighbours described the family as "happy and pleasant" who kept themselves to themselves.

One, Emma Kelly, said: "She was a happy, smiling person.

"I'm totally shocked to hear what has happened."