Tragic suicide pact of identical twin brothers, 52, found hanging from same tree

IDENTICAL twin brothers were found hanging from the same tree after making a tragic suicide pact, an inquest has heard.

The inseparable pair, 52, had lived together their entire lives but got into financial difficulty.

Cops told the inquest when Neil and Patrick Micklewright's Manchester flat was searched they found financial documents arranged in folders, clothes packed away, the fridge and freezer emptied and beds stripped.

The coroners court heard the twins, on-off warehouse workers, appeared to have prepared for their deaths last July.

And notes found in their pockets were described as "essentially identical", explaining nothing other than they "had had enough".

They had had their benefits stopped after getting £40,000 following the death of their mum, Joan.

Their sister, Julie Gillaspy, told the inquest she "struggled to understand why this had happened", but thought they were too proud to go back on benefits.

At the time of their death the brothers had just a few pounds left in their accounts.

Mrs Gillaspy added: "I think they struggled socially and I think it all just got on top of them.

"They were very proud people who perhaps weren't dealt the best hand in life."

A post-mortem examination found both brother's died from hanging.

The Manchester Evening News reports the assistant coroner Jason Wells concluded the twins died from suicide in a "well-planned event".

He added: "All suicides are tragic but the death of two brothers in these circumstances is particularly tragic."