Two elderly men have been found dead in a Surry Hills home on Cleveland Street, with police confirming their deaths are not believed to be suspicious.
The bodies of the men, aged 74 and 83, were discovered on 5 July after a friend of their 63-year-old housemate contacted police requesting a welfare check. Emergency services arrived at the property around 2pm and initially found one body before locating a second man in another room within the terrace house.
According to NSW Police, both men are believed to have died at different times within the past month. The woman who lived with them, Eleanor Barker, had been residing in the home both before and after their deaths occurred.
Police have spoken with Barker but no charges have been laid. Detectives conducted door-to-door inquiries along Cleveland Street as part of their investigation to establish when the men were last seen alive.
Local resident Mitchell Morri described the deceased men as friendly neighbours who were well-known in the area. He recalled one of the men would often sit out the front of the house with a beer, and both were pleasant when encountered on the street.
Neighbours who spoke with Barker in the days leading up to the discovery described her as appearing upbeat and chatty during their interactions.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police preparing a report for the coroner. The identities of the two men have been confirmed, though their details have not been publicly released.
The incident has prompted discussions among residents about the importance of regular welfare checks, particularly for elderly community members living in share housing arrangements.
Published 10-July-2025
