Colchester stabbing victims 'died from wounds to the neck'

10 October 2019, 13:55

Danny Gibson (left), Jason Gibson (centre) and Richard Booth (right)
Danny Gibson (left), Jason Gibson (centre) and Richard Booth (right). Picture: Essex Police

By Megan White

Three men who were found stabbed to death in Colchester died from wounds to the neck, an inquest heard.

Danny Gibson, 35, and his 31-year-old brother Jason Gibson were found dead at their home in Wellesley Road after police were called at around 10.15pm on Saturday.

Richard Booth, 35, was found also found dead in a car behind Wellesley House flats, an inquest heard.

Coroner's officer Lynsey Chaffe told the hearing in Chelmsford that the Gibsons were pronounced dead at 12.46am on Sunday.

Jason Gibson's provisional medical cause of death was recorded as a stab wound to the neck while Danny Gibson's was recorded as stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Police say the incident was not gang or drug related
Police say the incident was not gang or drug related. Picture: Charlotte Sullivan

Mr Booth’s death was confirmed by paramedics at 10.10am on Sunday, with his provisional medical cause of death recorded as stab wounds to the neck and head.

Essex's senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "I would like to have the court's sympathy expressed to the family of Richard Booth at this really dreadful time for them, and the same condolences and sympathy please to be expressed to the Gibson family at this very distressing time for them."

She opened and adjourned the inquests and did not set a date for a full hearing while criminal proceedings are ongoing in the Crown Court.

Tom Saunders, 32, of Bounstead Road, Colchester, has been charged with three counts of murder on October 5.

Three men were found dead on Wellesley Road
The three men were found dead on Wellesley Road. Picture: Charlotte Sullivan

Saunders, who has not been asked for pleas, is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Essex Police said that Saunders was the uncle of the Gibson brothers and was also known to Mr Booth but was not related to him.

Saunders is due to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on November 20.

The family of Mr Booth, known as Rik, described him as a "wonderful son, brother, father and friend".

The family of the Gibson brothers said the men's deaths were "devastating news" for them and they "will never be replaced".