Gunman dies in hospital 5 days after killing mum-of-two in hostage siege at home

12 May 2023 , 13:21

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Jacob Cloke died in hospital after he killed mum-of-two Hayley Burke (Image: Facebook)

A gunman has died in hospital five days after he killed a mum-of-two during a shocking hostage siege.

Jacob Cloke died yesterday after sustaining critical injuries at a home in Dartford, Kent, where he took a woman hostage.

Previously, mum-of-two Hayley Burke died after she was taken hostage by Cloke on Saturday 6 May in her own home.

Hayley was tragically shot during a stand off between Cloke and police.

In a short statement released today, Kent Police said: "A suspect linked to a fatal firearms incident in Dartford has died in hospital.

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"Jacob Cloke, who was 29, was declared deceased on Thursday 11 May 2023. He had sustained critical injuries caused by a firearm, following a disturbance at a property in Priory Road on Saturday 6 May.

Hayley Burke, a mum-of-two, was killed by Jacob Cloke during the hostage incident (Adam Burke/Facebook)

"Hayley Burke, aged 36, was also critically injured and she previously died at hospital on Monday 8 May.

"An investigation into both deaths will now be led by the coroner.

"Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate will assist the coronial process."

Police officers at the scene of the fatal hostage incident in Dartford (PA)

Armed officers from Kent Police and trained negotiators were called to a home in Dartford on Saturday afternoon.

They attempted to engage with a man inside who was holding Hayley hostage but she was found with injuries believed to be from a handgun.

She was rushed to a London hospital but tragically died later from her injuries.

Hayley died in hospital after the tragic hostage incident (Kent Police)

The shocking hostage incident took place over the weekend (Facebook)

Paying tribute to Hayley, one friend told Kent Online: "Hayley was the loudest friend in the group and never failed to have everyone laughing.

“Hayley loved her children with every inch of her heart. Everything she did was for her boys – they were her life.

“Hayley would do anything for anybody but wasn't afraid to tell you if you took the mick. She was so brutally honest – it was one of her best character traits. If you wanted an honest opinion you would always ask Hayley.”

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Police were said to have entered the property where the hostage incident took place for about an hour (PA)

The friend added Hayley had "so much love and life to give".

Cloke was also rushed to hospital with firearm injuries before he died, and he was being treated as the suspect in the murder investigation.

During the shocking incident, neighbours recalled how they were ordered by police to go inside their homes and stay there as police entered Hayley's home for about a hour.

Neighbours were told to go inside their homes and stay there (PA)

One said: "I was in the house and my husband and two girls were out - they couldn't get back home.

"I went out and was told, 'Get back - you must stay indoors.'"

Kieren Williams