CHANNEL 4 star Daniel Duffield spoke to a friend on the phone just an hour before his death, it has been revealed.
The paramedic, 24, was found dead with girlfriend Lauren Evans, 22, at a home in Hednesford, Cannock, at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
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Daniel Duffield, left, with colleague Ellie Johnson Credit: instagram/@daniel.duffield
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Paramedic (24) found dead with girlfriend Lauren Evans (22) Credit: Facebook
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Daniel worked for West Midlands Ambulance ServiceCredit: instagram
Daniel, who starred in series 11 of 999: The Frontline, shared a photo of himself with student nurse Lauren on his Instagram at a bowling alley just two weeks ago.
But officers have now launched a murder investigation after they were found dead in Alpine Drive, as tributes pour in for the couple.
Daniel’s co-worker and friend Ellie Johnson revealed she spoke to him “for an hour” before his death to make plans to see each other.
She wrote: “Never in a million years did I think I’d have to sit down and write this and yet I’m still trying to come to terms with it.
“I just want to express how special you are [were] for me – not just my best friend at work and best crewmate, but one of my best friends who had a huge impact on my everyday life.
“The kindest person who always had time to help others, who made me laugh every day and would always pick up the phone whenever I was in trouble.”
She added: “Dan, I can’t believe you’re actually gone. We were supposed to go out together this week and I was looking forward to seeing you.
“Even the phone call we had an hour before you this morning [were] gone i will never forget i love you forever dan.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service said Daniel was employed as a paramedic at its Willenhall hub.
Senior operations manager at Willenhall, Richard Barratt, said his death was a “great tragedy”.
“Daniel Duffield was a well-known member of staff and was always keen to help and support his colleagues,” he said.
“His death, at such a young age, is a great tragedy.
“I hope Daniel’s family can find comfort in the hundreds of patients he helped while he was a paramedic.
“Our thoughts go out to the families of both of those found at the scene.”
Staffordshire Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Policing Conduct due to “recent contact with the police”.
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Paramedics made the gruesome discovery on Tuesday, and police are continuing to investigateCredit: SWNS
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Police and forensics at the scene of the murder investigationCredit: SWNS
Lauren’s mum Karen, 53, and dad Steven, 54, from the village of Pen-y-fai, near Bridgend, say they are distraught.
It is understood that Daniel and Lauren were in a relationship and their social media accounts were full of pictures of the pair together.
His last post showed them outside Wembley Stadium for the Capital Summertime Ball.
Another of Daniel’s posts, with a collage of pictures of them together, was captioned: “Gratitude post. For always being there, supporting me! Thank you for everything, I adore you.”
Neighbors on Coed Y Cando, Pen-y-Fai, are also “shocked” and say Lauren was a “very friendly” girl.
Daniel’s sister also paid tribute on social media, saying she never thought she would have to write a post about her “beautiful brother”.
She said: “My beautiful brother left us today, I’m so distraught that you’re gone.
“I will never come to terms with the fact that you are no longer here.
“You were such a bright soul who always helped other people, made them laugh, saved lives, but unfortunately you couldn’t help yourself.
“I will always cherish you and us as we grow up together, you will always be in my heart he was the best brother I could have asked for, forever 24, RIP Daniel Duffield.
“I will always miss you and love you forever until we meet again RIP bro.”
Staffordshire Police say their bodies were found in Hednesford, Cannock, by paramedics at around 12.30pm on Tuesday.
Detective Superintendent Nicki Addison, from Staffordshire Police’s Major Investigations Unit, said: “My thoughts are with the families at the moment.
“I know that this news has understandably shaken the local community.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we have a specialist team of officers working long hours to fully investigate what happened and provide support to the families of those affected.
“We fully understand that many people want to know more about what happened, but we would like to reiterate that speculation is not helpful to the families at this difficult time.
“I would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with information and ask people to continue to get in touch if they have any information that can help us.”
Staffordshire Police press release in full
Our investigation into a murder investigation in Hednesford is continuing after two people were found dead in a house.
We were alerted by our colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service who were at Alpine Drive in Hednesford at around 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 25 June).
Unfortunately, a woman and a man were found dead inside.
Official identification has yet to be carried out but we believe they are both 22-year-old Lauren Evans from Bridgend, South Wales, and 24-year-old Daniel Duffield from Cannock.
A team of specially trained officers continues to support their families at this difficult time.
We have referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to recent contact with the police.
A number of police officers are still in the area today investigating to find out more about what happened.
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Daniel threw in a sweet date with Lauren shortly before their deathsCredit: Instagram/daniel.duffield
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