A suspected arson investigation remains ongoing after the graves of two brothers who died just weeks apart were set alight at a Darlington cemetery.
Durham Police is investigating after a fire damaged artificial flowers, metal plaques and other decorations at a grave plot in North Road cemetery.
The incident was reported on Sunday evening, October 4, and officers are carrying out focused patrols in the area.
The grave's after the suspected arson (Image: FAMILY)
Their mum, Louise Blakey, said the family had already suffered devastating loss before the graves were vandalised over two days and then set alight.
The family spent Monday, October 5, cleaning up the damage.
Kane, Louise and Keiron (Image: FAMILY)
Louise said: "I think it is disgusting and we are just heartbroken. We are even scared to go back there now.
"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.
"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."
Police are urging witnesses to come forward.
A Durham Police spokesperson said: "We are investigating suspected arson after a fire at a grave plot damaged artificial flowers, metal plaques and other decorations.
"The incident was reported to police on Sunday evening.
"Police are carrying out focused patrols in the area and urge witnesses to call Darlington Police on 101, quoting incident 514 of October 4."
Brothers Kane Quinn, 26, and Keiron Gorringe, 31 who died just over a month apart (Image: FAMILY)
They have since confirmed their investigation remains ongoing.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CCDFRS) also attended the fire.
A CDDFRS spokesperson said: “At 11.05pm on Sunday (October 4), we received a report of a small fire at a graveside at Darlington Crematorium.
“One crew attended to put out the fire, leaving the scene at 11.24pm.”
The damage to the gravestone (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 before tragedy struck again when Keiron died on April 1 while in police custody in Spennymoor, just hours after his brother's funeral.
An inquest hearing at Crook Coroners Court in July heard that Keiron began fitting in his cell before staff called an ambulance.
The grave now after the family has cleaned it up (Image: FAMILY)
Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield was told a post-mortem found the provisional cause of death was the effects of cocaine and MDMA.
The inquest was adjourned until a mention hearing on January 5, 2027.
Keiron's family have launched a 'Justice for Keiron' campaign, saying they believe his death could have been prevented.
The grave's after the suspected arson (Image: FAMILY)
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."
Louise, a mum of nine, previously described Keiron as the "life and soul of everyone's party".
She said the damage had dealt the family another devastating blow.
Louise said: "Every single day someone goes without fail to see them, it's just awful, it will never be the same.
The graves before the arson. (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."
Louise said she returned to the graves for two days to clear up the vandalism before family and friends gathered on Monday for a bigger clean-up.
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Keiron's friend Corinna said the family found items they believe may be linked to the incident.
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 taken 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."