A little boy has died apparently of starvation and thirst after his father had a heart attack at the family home in upstate New York.

The dad David Conde Sr., 59, who was a single father had gained custody of the boy David Conde Jr., 2, shortly after he was born and the pair lived together at their apartment in Geneva.

Cops who broke into the property after nobody had heard from them for more than a week found the two dead bodies in the bedroom and an autopsy has now revealed that the father died naturally from “cardiovascular disease”.

Because the door was double locked it is believed that the little boy was unable to leave, and a coroner’s report has now confirmed that the cause of death was starvation.

Police say that the two were actually nice and alive on 22nd January and have confirmed that they are not investigating anyone else over the tragedy which is listed as accidental death.

The youngster reportedly suffered from a disability that had made it difficult to walk but after surgeries and months of wearing a plaster cast together with rehabilitation, apparently had just started to learn to walk.

The funeral arrangements as published in the local Finger Lakes Times reveal that he is survived by his mother Michelle Travers, and her partner, Marshall Watson, of Newark; his six brothers, Caden, Rickey, Ryan, Justin, Julian and Kayshaun; a sister, Kiera; his maternal grandmother, Julie Lincoln; as well as many extended family members and friends.

It is unclear why none of them had noticed any earlier that the boy and father were no longer reachable but it is understood that his mother was estranged from the dad and had little contact with him day to day.

Neighbours said they had not checked on the pair because it was not unusual for them to spend a lot of time in the apartment together and not leave much, possibly because of the boy’s difficulties in walking.