Heartbroken family speaks out after mum, 30, and son, 10, found dead in flat as cops continue murder probe
THE devastated relative of a mum and son found dead in a flat in a suspected murder-suicide has told of her heartbreak.
Frederico Mendes, ten, is thought to have been killed by his mum Dalia Baptista, 30, before she took her own life in Leeds, West Yorks.
Cops rushed to the first-floor flat in Holbeck on September 15 when concerned neighbours raised the alarm after not seeing either of them for several weeks.
Dalia's cousin Cíntia Costa has launched a for their funerals following the tragedy.
She said: "I am fundraising for the purpose of my cousin's funeral. My cousin suffered from depression and autism which sadly became too much for her to cope with.
"Her name is Dalia Baptista and her son Frederico Mendes was a 10-year-old little boy with autism as well (who also fell victim to what took place).
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"I would like to raise as much as possible to go towards the funeral in supporting her parents and siblings with the funeral at such a painful time.
"No matter how big or small every donation would be we will deeply appreciated."
Neighbours thought the family may have gone home to Portugal as they had not seen them "for a while" - but as weeks passed they grew increasingly worried.
Cops raced to the council flat in Cross Ingram Road but found the pair dead.
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Police investigating the incident are treating the little boy's death as murder - adding they are not looking for anyone else in connection to the killings.
A mum who lived close to the house said her seven-year-old daughter would often play outside with Frederico.
She said: "She was always quiet and she spent most of her time in the flat.
"She would never speak to anyone. We hadn't seen them for a while but we thought she was probably on holiday (in Portugal)."
Several tributes were left at the scene, including one from a neighbour, saying: “RIP little man. Fly high with the angels and your mum.”
Mum-of-two Julie told The Sun Online: “We heard she was suffering from depression and it all got too much for her.
“She kept herself to herself and no one round here really knew her."
"She was Portuguese and had moved here for two or three years. We don’t know if she ever got the help she needed.
“We heard that the boy had been killed, bless him, and then she killed herself.
“I can’t think of anything more tragic.”
Cops are continuing to investigate their deaths.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The death of the boy is subject to a murder investigation.
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"While enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the deaths, officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
An inquest into the deaths is due to be opened in due course.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
- Movember,
- Anxiety UK , 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm