Avtar and Carole Kolar were battered to death at their home in Birmingham
Avtar and Carole Kolar were battered to death at their home in Birmingham West Midlands Police

The man charged with beating a Birmingham couple to death in their home has been found hanged in prison.

West Midlands Police have confirmed that Rimvydas Liorancas was discovered in his cell at Woodhill prison on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Lithuanian had been charged with murdering Avtar and Carole Kolar in their Handsworth Wood home.

"Staff attempted resuscitation and paramedics attended but [Liorancas] was found dead," a prison service spokesman said.

"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation".

The couple, who had been together for 40 years and had four children and eight grandchildren, were killed by repeated blows to the head. A hammer was found at the scene.

They were discovered on 11 January by their son, Jason, a serving West Midlands Police officer.

Their daughter, Michelle Kirwan, described them as "the sweetest, kindest people that I have ever met. They would do anything for anyone".

The police investigation will continue into the murders and the findings will be presented to the coroner at the inquest.