A MURDER victim had been arrested over the death of his partner just weeks before he was killed, it has been revealed.

But the police found no evidence and said he would have been released without charge.

Police yesterday said they were looking at whether the killing of James Atkinson, 55, and another man, found at a house in Waddington Avenue, Burnley, was linked to the death of Mr Atkinson’s partner Pamela Jane Brown.

Mr Atkinson was arrested on suspicion of administering a drug and was on bail following the death of 43-year-old Ms Brown on September 7.

He was due to answer bail in two weeks time and would have been released without charge.

At an inquest opened into her death on September 13, Burnley Coroner’s Court heard that Ms Brown had been admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital on August 30 after an apparent massive insulin overdose.

Her condition deteriorated and she died eight days later.

Mr Atkinson, known locally as Jimmy, was found dead on Tuesday by an ‘associate’. He had suffered massive head injuries.

The other dead man found in the house was last night formally identified as Neil Gilmore, 55.

On Wednesday, police arrested Ms Brown’s three children – Kenny Howson, 25, Lee Howson, 18, and Krystal Howson, 23, as well as a 30-year-old man from Burnley and a fifth man, 22, all on suspicion of murder.

Detectives were today due to continue questioning the five after being granted an extension until 6pm.

Police are also investigating an arson attack on Mr Atkinson’s house in Brunshaw Avenue after Ms Brown died.