Jacob Cloke, who was suspected of fatally shooting Hayley Burke during a stand-off with police has died in a London hospital, Kent Police said. The suspected gunman died five days after allegedly killing the mother-of-two during a shocking hostage siege.
Cloke is believed to have succumbed to his critical injuries sustained at a home in Dartford, Kent, where he took Burke hostage. Armed officers and a trained negotiator responded to the terraced house in Priory Road, Dartford, where the incident took place on Saturday after receiving reports of a disturbance.
Who was Jacob Cloke?
In a short statement released today, Kent Police said: “A suspect linked to a fatal firearms incident in Dartford has died in hospital. 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 Roadon Saturday 6 May.”
The statement added: “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.”
Also Read | Fake mugshots of Mauricio Garcia, Allen, Texas mall shooting suspect go viral
Her death is being treated as murder. Cloke was also rushed to the hospital with firearm injuries. He was being treated as the suspect in the murder investigation.
One of Hayley’s friends 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.”
The friend added Hayley had “so much love and life to give”.
