AN inquest was due to be held today into the deaths of an elderly Newport brother and sister.

Joan Evans, 74, and Danny Portal, 71, were found dead at Mr Portal's prefab bungalow in Drinkwater Gardens, the Gaer, last November.

A family member who was concerned about Danny and Joan's whereabouts discovered their bodies on the morning of November 30, 2004, and alerted an ambulance and the police.

At the time of the incident, detectives said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the double tragedy and refused to say how the siblings died.

A police source told the Argus the circumstances of the deaths were "unusual".

The double tragedy sent shockwaves through the close-knit community. Mrs Evans lived in nearby Keats Close and was said to visit her brother every day to cook and clean for him.

Their second cousin, Hazel Fraser, 64, spoke at the time of the incident. She said: " We just want to know why. The whole family is close. We are all from Pill and Danny and Joan were like a brother and sister to me. I used to see them every week. They were both happy. They didn't have any worries."

Mr Portal was remembered as "one of the finest men and the best friend you will ever have" by 74-year-old Ronnie Davies, a regular at the Courtabella Club, Newport. The inquest was due to take place at Newport coroner's court.