NEIGHBOURS of the accused body-in-the-carpet murderer spoke of their shock that he had been found dead in his prison cell.

On Tuesday the Argus the news that Daryl Terrence Smith, 40, of Bellevue Close, Trevethin, had been found dead at Cardiff Prison on Monday in yesterday’s Argus.

He was accused of murdering Bobbie Stokoe, 23, whose body was found wrapped in a carpet on wasteland in Trevethin on August 19 by two local men.

Keith Jackson, 63, met Smith while the pair were working as builders on Cold Barn Farm in Trevethin in the 1980s.

They became friends and Smith used to visit Mr Jackson’s house, which was in the same street at his, to watch John Wayne films.

"I was so shocked, I couldn’t believe it," Mr Jackson said.

"Everyone’s talking about it."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "Bobbie’s death rocked the community and now this happens - we can’t believe it."

Smith was due to enter a plea to the murder charge on November 6.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating how Gwent Police responded to calls expessing concern for Miss Stoke’s welfare prior to the discovery of her body.