Tribute paid to 'beautiful boys' found dead in Gwynedd

Philip and Izaak Stevens were found suffocated in a bedroom at their home

A father whose son was found suffocated in a house in Gwynedd along with his brother has paid tribute to the "beautiful boys".

The bodies of Izaak, two, his brother Philip, five, and their mother Melanie Stevens, were found in the house on Sunday.

Nicholas Smith, an ex-partner of Ms Stevens, was Izaak's father.

"Two such beautiful boys, lovers of trains, footballs, cars, puddles and tickles," he said.

"Izaak and Pip absorbed all the love they were given from all who knew them and returned it a million times over.

'Innocent joy'

"They will never lose their innocent joy at the wonders of the world around them, they will forever be two beautiful little boys."

North Wales Police said officers attended the house at about 2000 GMT on Sunday after concerned relatives reported that Ms Stevens and her two sons had not been seen for some time.

The boys were found suffocated in a bedroom. The body of their mother was found hanging in the same bedroom.

Police are continuing their investigation but confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Det Chief Insp John Hanson said they were still trying to establish the "catalyst" that caused the event.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned by the north west Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones.

A date for the full inquest has yet to be fixed.

Ms Stevens, a divorced mother-of-five, had lived at the house on Chapel Street for about two years, having moved from the nearby town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Residents in the village, which has about 700 residents, said the family seemed "happy and pleasant".