Murder suspect Rimvydas Liorancas, who was accused of killing Birmingham couple Avtar and Carole Kolar, had previously carried out building work on the couple’s home.
Lithuanian national Liorancas was found hanged on Saturday at Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes, where he had been held since being charged with the brutal double murder.
The death of the 37-year-old, formerly of Booth Street, Winson Green, came 12 days after his arrest.
Today, it was revealed that Liorancas had been picking up casual building work with a group of other Lithuanians before his arrest.
And sources claim he had once worked at the Handsworth Wood home of Avtar and Carole, who were found battered to death on January 11.
It has also emerged that Liorancas was a runaway father who was wanted by Lithuanian authorities over unpaid child maintenance.
He was also convicted seven months ago of drink driving in Jurbarkas, a small region in western Lithuania, after being caught two-and-a-half times over the limit.
At the time of the murders, Liorancas was on a “residence unknown” Lithuanian Government list, and was being chased for child support cash.
He was wanted by the authorities over an unpaid 4,000 Lithuanian Lita (£1,000) drink drive fine, nearly two months’ salary for the average Lithuanian.
It is still unclear how the murder suspect entered the UK, or what his visa status was.
A spokesman for the Lithuanian Embassy in London declined to comment on the case.
The bodies of Avtar, aged 62, and his wife Carole, 58, were discovered inside their Friary Road home by their son Jason – a detective with West Midlands Police – three weeks ago, following concerns that they could not be contacted.
Post-mortem examinations confirmed they both died after being repeatedly struck over the head with a blunt instrument.
Detectives later revealed that the murder weapon was a lump hammer that had been recovered at the scene.
Neighbours confirmed that the Kolars, who had recently become grandparents again, had not long had building work carried out on their home.
Retired musician David Stokes, aged 79, said: “He (Mr Kolar) had a conservatory built and all the garden flattened.
"There were a couple of guys who helped build the conservatory.”
Of the apparent suicide of Liorancas, Mr Stokes said it was a tragedy the family may not now receive all the answers about their parents’ deaths.
“It must be terrible for the family,’’ he said. “We never found anything out at the time. I thought we would have to wait for the trial. Now we still won’t know what happened.”
West Midlands Police said the couple’s family had been informed of the death of Liorancas and were being supported by detectives.
In a statement, the family said: “We were made aware of the death by police on Saturday. We understand the investigation into our parents’ deaths will continue and the findings presented to the coroner. We ask that we be left alone as we continue to grieve over the deaths of our mum and dad.”
It is understood Liorancas was not considered at risk of suicide or self-harm.
An investigation has now been launched by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We were informed by the Ministry of Justice of the death of Rimvydas Liorancas on Saturday at Woodhill Prison.
“The investigation into the deaths will continue and the completed findings will now be presented to the coroner.”
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WOODHILL Prison is a top security jail that has housed some of the county’s toughest and most notorious criminals.
Previous inmates have included Charles Bronson – dubbed Britain’s most violent prisoner – and Soham killer Ian Huntley.
The Category A jail, on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, opened in July 1992 to cater for a mix of prisoners including high security crooks such as lifers, suspected terrorists and others facing charges of serious criminal or sexual offences.
In 1998, one wing was re-designated as a close supervision centre, which holds a small number of prisoners who are among the most difficult and disruptive in the prison system.
Last July, Woodhill was criticised after inmate Lee Foye was able to slice off an ear with a razor blade, three months after cutting off his other ear.
And a separate investigation was launched last December after 33-year-old Martin Walker was found hanged in his cell. He was serving an indeterminate sentence for causing grievous bodily harm and burglary.
Bronson was caged at the prison for a time. The convicted armed robber proved a troublesome prisoner, directing his rages against fellow inmates and guards. During one episode he took hostages at Woodhill in 1994 and demanded a helicopter and an inflatable doll.
Soham killer Huntley tried to kill himself with anti-depressant pills at the jail in 2003, following his conviction for the double murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
