THE sister of a former Derby window cleaner found dead at his home in Chaddesden said today she has been left feeling "numb".
Steve Burton, 50, died on Friday at his home in Selkirk Street.
Julie Titheridge, 38, of Selkirk Street, appeared before South Derbyshire magistrates yesterday charged with his murder.
Susan Burton, 44, of Siddals Road, has spoken for the first time to express her distress at his death.
She said: "I feel absolutely heartbroken and find it very hard thinking I will never see him again.
"I found out about his death when somebody messaged me on Facebook. I never expected him to die and I felt really numb.
"I feel sick. We were never that close as brother and sister but I knew he was there for me and I was for him."
Steve's brother, John Burton, of Ash Meadow, Borrowash, said he was also distraught with the news.
The 54-year-old said: "I do not know what to do. I never expected him to die and I can't believe we will not see him again.
"Steve was a Jack-the-lad character and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. He made people laugh because he was very funny.
"He was a comedian and an entertainer. Whenever he met a woman he would always call them a lady.
"There were five of us but our brother died of lung cancer in 2003, and now this – so there is three. Hopefully this will bring us together as a whole family and keep us close.
"Our parents have passed away and in a way I'm glad they died before this, because nobody wants to bury their children."
His family said Mr Burton found a lot of comfort in spending time at Sussex Circus.
Since his passing, the Chaddesden community has left a sea of floral tributes with messages of comfort.
Susan said: "We would like to say a huge thank-you to people who have left flowers. It is really appreciated.
"Our family and friends also deserve a thank-you for their support."
His family said Mr Burton had plans to make a business out of cleaning wheelie-bins.
John said: "He was a very intelligent bloke and at the time I thought the wheelie-bin cleaning idea made no sense. I laughed at it. But he was right."
Susan said: "Steve used to write poems and stories about everything. He was very creative."
Emergency services were called to the house in Selkirk Street, where the Mr Burton lived, at around 4.30am.
But the former window cleaner was pronounced dead at the scene.
