Cousins' deaths shock community

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The two, named locally as Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, and 20-year-old Kelly Stephenson, lived 15 doors apart in Bridgend, South Wales, and are believed to have died within hours of each other. A friend has said the cousins were "very close".

Paramedics were called to Nathaniel's home in Ystrad Fawr, Cefn Glas, on Wednesday night. He was taken to hospital but is thought to have died on Friday morning. Neighbours have said his nine-year-old brother, Conner, found him hanging in an attic room.

Ms Stephenson, a keen footballer, was found dead in Folkestone, Kent, in the early hours of Friday. She is thought to have been on holiday there with her grandmother.

Their deaths bring the total number of apparent hangings in the Bridgend County Borough to 16, in just over a year. Ms Stephenson is understood to have known two young men who died last month, Liam Clarke and Gareth Morgan.

No one at the homes of Nathaniel and Ms Stephenson wanted to comment on their deaths, but neighbours paid tribute to them

A 70-year-old neighbour, who has lived in the street for most of his life, said: "We just don't know what's happening in Bridgend and Mid Glamorgan. It's such a shame.

"We heard Nathaniel's little brother found him hanging. It's terrible to think it's on your doorstep. I just can't think what has caused it."

A 28-year-old mother-of-two, who also knew Mr Clarke and Mr Morgan, said Nathaniel and his cousin were well-known in the area.

She said: "I would never have thought it would be those two, and especially not Nathaniel. He was just a lovely boy, and will be missed. My little boy plays with his brother Conner."