Devastated girlfriend pays tribute to father-of-two, 39, who was found dead alongside couple he ‘stayed with over Christmas’ – as police say their deaths remain a mystery
- Andrew Mark Smith, 39, was found dead at a Failsworth property last week
- Couple Zoe Hamilton, 28, and James Acton, 41, were also found dead there
- Ms Hamilton’s family say the couple asked Mr Smith to stay with them for Xmas
Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was found dead alongside a couple he was reportedly staying with over Christmas.
Andrew Mark Smith, 39, was discovered unresponsive at a property in Failsworth, Greater Manchester on December 28.
Zoe Hamilton, 28, and James Acton, 41, who are understood to have been living together for a number of months, were also found dead at the address.
Ms Hamilton’s family told the Manchester Evening News the couple had asked Mr Smith to stay with them during the Christmas period after getting to know him while he was sleeping rough in Failsworth.
Police say the cause of their deaths is still not known, with detectives awaiting the results of toxicology reports.
Inquests into the three deaths will be opened at Rochdale Coroners’ Court tomorrow.
Mr Smith’s girlfriend has now paid tribute to the ‘best bloke you could ever meet’, adding ‘he would do anything for anyone’. He leaves behind two daughters, aged 19 and four.
Father-of-two Andrew Mark Smith, 39, was discovered unresponsive at a property in Failsworth, Greater Manchester on December 28
Zoe Hamilton (right), 28, and James Acton (left), 41, who are understood to have been living together for a number of months, were also found dead at the address. Ms Hamilton’s family told the Manchester Evening News the couple had asked Mr Smith to stay with them during the Christmas period after getting to know him while he was sleeping rough in Failsworth
Michelle Fleming, the mother of Mr Smith’s youngest daughter, said Mr Smith’s death has left her devastated.
The 38-year-old, who said she was with Mr Smith for 12 years, told the MEN: ‘You couldn’t meet a nicer person.
‘He was just the best bloke you could ever meet.
‘He was very well-known in Failsworth and everyone that knew him wouldn’t have a bad word to say about him.
‘He was always really polite and well mannered.
‘He would also do anything for anyone. If you needed it he would give you his last penny.
‘The last few months he had fallen on hard times but he was getting his life back on track. We’re all just absolutely devastated.’
Floral tributes have been left outside the property in Failsworth, Greater Manchester
One message outside the Failsworth address states: ‘Always in our thoughts Andy. RIP Now’
She added: ‘He will be forever loved and missed by his daughters and by me.’
One of the numerous messages and floral tributes left outside the Failsworth address states: ‘Always in our thoughts Andy. RIP Now.’
Mother-of-three Ms Hamilton’s sister T’Anna Green, 19, said last week: ‘She had a heart of gold and would help anyone.
‘She let Andrew stay on the sofa over Christmas. She had been on streets herself so I can imagine her doing that. It’s the kind of thing she did.
‘It’s just sad how she’s gone. I can’t believe it. We’re still in shock, especially because we’re the ones that found her.’
Mr Acton’s sister said he was a ‘dad, a brother, a son, a friend’ and would be ‘missed and loved eternally’.