Brothers die in gas leak tragedy

STAVROS Theodorou, a former senior policeman, and his brother George were found dead on Sunday afternoon at Stavros’ country home in the Larnaca district of Maroni. Their deaths were blamed on a gas leak, which nearly claimed the lives of their wives as well.

The deaths were discovered at around 4.30pm, when neighbours began to wonder why Stavros, 61, had not come round for a customary cup of coffee. When he failed to answer his mobile phone, his next-door neighbour, a former sergeant in the fire brigade, went round to his house.

Smelling gas, he broke in and found the supply to the gas heater switched on, but not lit. He found Stavros and George, 59, already dead, but carried out first aid on their

wives Eleni and Kyriaki, both 58. It is believed that he saved the women’s lives.

Police investigating the deaths suspected the gas, but at first thought the deaths may have been caused by food poisoning from mushrooms the two had eaten. Autopsies later ruled this out.

When found, Kyriaki and Eleni were in serious condition, but doctors said yesterday that Eleni is improving. Kyriaki, however, is semi-comatose, and doctors believe she may have suffered permanent brain damage.

Technicians from the Department of Communications and Works examining the house found three empty gas bottles, one connected to the heater, one to the cooker and one to a separate gas ring.