A pre-inquest hearing into the deaths of Tiffany Stevens, 27, Darcey Stevens, one, and three-year-old Casey-Lea Taylor took place at Bolton Coroners Court today. It heard the family members were found dead at their home in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

       And the court heard: "Evidence suggests that Tiffany may have ended the lives of Darcey and Casey-Lea."

       Police initially treated Casey-Lea and Darcey's deaths as murder and confirmed they weren't looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

       Tiffany's death was not treated as suspicious, Manchester Evening News says.

       Opening the inquest, assistant coroner Peter Sigee said: "I’m going to have to consider whether Tiffany had capacity at the time of Darcey and Casey Lea ingesting the substances that caused their death.

       "If she did have capacity and administered substances that caused the children’s deaths, I would have to consider whether the two children were unlawfully killed."

       Mr Sigee said that he may also have to consider a conclusion of "suicide" for 27-year-old mum Tiffany.

       Addressing the family, he said: "This is one of the saddest cases that I have had to consider and deal with in my time as coroner."

       A two-day inquest is set to begin on January 6 of next year.

       Witnesses will include family members, Bolton Social Services, GMP, medical professionals, and the author of a serious case review into the incident.

       Mr Sigee said: "My preliminary view is that these deaths are so linked that it is sensible for all three inquests to be heard at the same time."

       Following their deaths in January 2019, Darcey and Casey-Lea's dads released tributes through Greater Manchester Police.

       Paying tribute to Casey-Lea, Liam Taylor said: "Casey-Lea was a beautiful little girl who was deeply loved by many and will be sadly missed by a lot of people."

       Darcey's dad Gary Eden said: "I will love and miss Darcey forever.

       "She will always live on through me."