A Darlington family who lost two brothers weeks apart have been left heartbroken after their graves were torched in a suspected arson attack.
The graves of brothers Keiron Gorringe and Kane Quinn were vandalised over two days before being set alight, their mum Louise Blakey said.
The family, who only lost the brothers months ago, spent Monday (October 5) cleaning up their resting place after plaques and flowers were destroyed.
Police are treating the incident as arson.
The grave after the suspected arson (Image: FAMILY)
Louise said: "I think it is disgusting and we are just heartbroken.
"Haven't we lost enough, and then this has happened just seven months after losing them.
"It has ripped my heart apart.
This is meant to be their resting place and someone has done this.
Kane, Louise and Keiron (Image: FAMILY)
"Their siblings used to come up every day to see them, like we all did, but now they don't want to come back and don't want to be here.
"We have loads of people here today helping tidy it up and try and make it nice again but it will just never be the same."
The graves before the arson. (Image: FAMILY)
Kane, 26, died following a suicide attempt on Valentine's Day, and was laid to rest on March 30.
His death left his family heartbroken, but tragedy struck again when Keiron died weeks later on April 1 while in police custody in Spennymoor just hours after his brother's funeral.
An inquest opened in July at Crook Coroners Court heard that Keiron began fitting in his cell and staff called an ambulance.
Brothers Kane Quinn, 26, and Keiron Gorringe, 31 who died just over a month apart (Image: FAMILY)
Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield was told a post-mortem gave the provisional cause of death as the effects of cocaine and MDMA. The inquest was adjourned until a mention hearing on January 5, 2027.
But his family were left with questions and launched a 'Justice for Keiron' campaign, feeling his death could have been prevented.
Louise previously said: "I just can’t help but think that the police failed him - he should have been watched, they should have known he was not well it should have been on their system and he should still be here with us now."
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Paying tribute to him the mum-of-nine previously said he was the "life and soul of everyone's party".
She described the damage to the graves as another devastating blow for the family.
Louise said: "Every single day someone goes without fail to see them, it's just awful, it will never be the same.
"Their siblings used to come up every day to see them, like we all did, but now they don't want to come back and don't want to be here."
The grave now after the family has cleaned it up (Image: FAMILY)
Louise said she spent two days returning to the graves to clean up after the vandalism before family and friends gathered on Monday for a bigger clear-up.
Keiron’s friend Corinna said the family found items they believe may be linked to the incident.
The grave's after the suspected arson (Image: FAMILY)
The damage to the gravestone (Image: FAMILY)
She said: "No family deserves this, even so, after all they have been through in this past year. We even found a pair of gloves and oil in the bushes and police have took that away now but I don't know what they will do with it.
"They have only been out this morning after being aware of it all night. We just can't help but feel like they are not bothered and letting us down."
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A Durham Police spokesperson said: "We are investigating an allegation of suspected arson, following a fire at a grave plot, which damaged decorations including artificial flowers and metal plaques.
"The incident was reported to police on Sunday evening.
"Police are carrying out focused patrols in the area and would encourage any witnesses to the incident to call Darlington Police on 101, referencing incident 514 of October 4."