A man and a woman, believed to be Chinese students, were "murdered" with serious head injuries at a flat in Newcastle's West End, local police said on Sunday.
The two were discovered on Saturday in separate bedrooms at the ground floor flat in Croydon Road, and have not been formally identified but are believed to be students.
Police are trying to trace their next of kin.
The deaths have caused shock in the area which is popular with students and Asian families, British Broadcasting Corporation said on Sunday.
Det Supt Steve Wade, of Northumbria Police, said "I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police."
Extra police patrols have been put on duty in an attempt to reassure residents and officers plan to speak with local community leaders.
On Saturday night police removed a silver hatchback car on a covered lorry.
A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death is due to be carried out later.