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Murderer Bill Treeby took his own life in prison before he could be sentenced for killing his brother, an inquest jury has concluded today.
The 50-year-old, from Paddock Wood, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey two days after he and sons George and Billy were convicted of murdering Jack, from Rainham.
A jury of five men and five women sitting in Maidstone returned their unanimous verdict this afternoon after deliberating for just two-and-a-half hours.
It brings to an end the latest chapter in one of Kent's most notorious murder cases.
Four members of the Treeby family were convicted in December 2010 after a family feud that erupted into violence in Quarry Road, Maidstone, a year before.
After the verdict was returned, Mid Kent and Medway assistant coroner Gail Elliman expressed her sympathy to the family.
She said: "All that is left for me to do is, of course, extend my condolences to the family of Mr Treeby who have attended this inquest, and please pass them on to the rest of the family too."
The inquest this morning heard from Terri Martin, duty governor on duty the day of Mr Treeby's death on Sunday, December 12 2010.
She said she understood a report after the incident would have recommended some changes in the care of prisoners in light of what had happened, but she did not have knowledge of what they may have been.
The hearing also heard that Mr Treeby had a personal officer, who had only made one record of contact with him during the time he had spent at HMP Elmley.
An electronic record of some concerns raised, filled in after Mr Treeby's death, had said there was intelligence suggesting that he might be considering suicide.
But there was no record of what the intelligence was and when it had been passed to staff.
Miss Martin was also questioned about the policy that inmates convicted of murder, and in particular a family member, were at serious risk of suicide.
But she said it was not mandatory for such prisoners to be put on suicide watch.
Brothers Billy Treeby, then 30, and George Treeby, then 23, were jailed for life at Maidstone Crown Court for murdering their uncle Jack Treeby, from Rainham. They were ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars.
The pair were also sentenced to 14 years each for the attempted murder of their uncle Gary.
Their mother Charity, then 51, was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of GBH with intent.
