A balloon release was held in Eastbourne Park on Friday (April 10) evening in memory of Keiron Gorringe, 31, passed away after suffering a medical episode at the Spennymoor police custody suite in the early hours of April 1.
His family believe he should have been safest in the care of the police after he was arrested.
A crowd gathered in the park at 6pm to light flares and hold up banners calling for “Justice 4 Keiron”.
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Speaking before the balloons were let off, his mum Louise Blakey and best friend Corinna Thompson, said: “We just want justice for Keiron and answers. This should never have happened, they have failed him and let him down.
“It has been nearly two weeks now and we still don’t have him back or any answers as to how he died.”
Durham Police said this week it had referred itself to the police watchdog the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) which said it was investigating and would “look at the circumstances around the man’s death, including the actions and decision-making of police.”
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. Mum Louise (left). (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
It came just weeks after the death of his brother Kane Quinn, 26, after a suicide attempt on Valentine’s Day, leaving their family heartbroken.
It is understood Keiron was pulled over while driving and then arrested for a court-issued warrant for failure to appear the previous week. His family say this was due to him struggling with the death of Kane.
An IOPC spokesperson added: “We are independently investigating after a 31-year-old man died while in the custody of Durham Constabulary.
Brothers Kane Quinn, 26, and Keiron Gorringe, 31 who died just over a month apart
“Following a referral from the force, IOPC investigators attended the scene and the police post-incident procedures to begin gathering evidence.
“At this stage, we have established the man was arrested by police in the early hours of April 1 and taken to the custody suite at Spennymoor.
“Shortly before 5am, the man appeared unwell in the cell and paramedics were called. The man sadly died at around 6.30am.
“Our investigation, which is independent of the police, will look at the circumstances around the man’s death, including the actions and decision-making of police.
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“We have obtained initial statements from five officers and staff, and have secured body-worn video footage of the man’s arrest, as well as CCTV from the custody suite.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his death.”
Keiron’s mum Louise Blakey said he began to have seizures the Saturday before his death but doctors hadn’t been able to figure out why.
She said he seemed himself the day after Kane’s funeral on March 30, but it was that night he was arrested and later died.
Balloon release for Keiron Gorringe. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Kane, Louise and Keiron
Paying tribute to the brothers, the mum-of-nine added: “It is just a living nightmare.
“I don’t know how to feel or what to do as in a way it just doesn’t feel real.
“Kane was Keiron’s first best friend. Kane lost his dad at the age of three and Keiron became a real father figure to him.
“He definitely took Kane’s death the hardest, he just felt he had let him down and he couldn’t deal with it.
“He massively looked up to Keiron as a father figure and was so loved by so many. He kept everything to himself and was a massive loss. His funeral had a huge turn out and so many people were affected.
“Keiron was the life and soul of everyone’s party, he was loyal, respectful and always there for everyone.
“He had lost himself after Kane’s death as he partially blamed himself because he was the oldest and felt obliged to look after the full lot of us. He didn’t have any children but he always wanted one.
“He now won’t get the chance.”
Keiron’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 12pm leaving from his mams family home on Lawrence Street at 11.20am then towards Darlington crematorium.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login