A couple described as still in love in their nineties and “soulmates” died in a double tragedy at their home.
Brian Richards, a retired GP, shot himself while his wife of 68 years Dilys, a former physiotherapist, died from cyanide poisoning, an inquest concluded today.
Coroner Catherine Wood concluded that Mr Richards, 93, died from suicide but could only give a narrative verdict for Mrs Richards, 91.
This was because her husband had written the parting letters found at their Sandwich home on the morning of July 8 this year, which shed light on the deaths.
No witnesses appeared at the hearing, held at Oakwood House, Maidstone, with Ms Wood summing up the events.
Mrs Richards had been found dead in her bed and Mr Richards had been discovered in an en-suite bathroom with a gunshot wound to his head. There was evidence that the gun had been in his hand.
A brown bottle of cyanide powder was also found at the scene.
Because of the risk of contamination, most hospitals refused to host the post-mortem examinations, which then took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The inquest heard that Mrs Richards, nickname Pixie, was “cheerful and lovely”, but had become housebound over the last year and was in poor health.
She had become frustrated with her condition and that she would be a liability.
Mr Richards was suffering rapidly declining hearing and notes had to be written between him and his wife, who were parents to a daughter and son.
The inquest heard that the housekeeper had turned up at their home, called The Butchery, at 9.35am, finding notes asking for non-resuscitation and warning that a gun at the scene was loaded. There was also a note on the bottle, containing potassium cyanide, saying it was poison and shouldn’t be touched.
The written messages also said that Mrs Richards had “swigged down” the poison and showed no discomfort or pain.
Mr Richards had written that he had “no wish to survive her.”
Evidence from investigating police and post-mortem examinations showed that Mrs Richards had no injuries and there had been no third-party involvement.
The couple’s daughter Sue said in written evidence that she had visited the pair four days earlier and they seemed to be in good spirits, and looking forward to becoming great-grandparents.
The couple were described at the hearing as a sharp and intelligent couple who enjoyed solving crossword puzzles together.
Ms Wood, assistant coroner for North East Kent, said: “They still appeared to be very much in love and soulmates, respecting each other.”
Mr Richards, nicknamed “Doc”, had been in the army in Cyprus and the couple lived there for a period. They came back to the UK in 1989, splitting their time between Sandwich and Cyprus.
Police set up a cordon in Sandwich for two days after the two bodies were discovered.
The small street was closed off and multiple police vehicles filled the surrounding roads while officers carried out inquiries.
At the time, residents were left in shock and disbelief by the tragic news.
Dan Friend, a district councillor for the town, said: “There is confusion among people here and also sadness for the families of the two victims.
“People have been surprised that there has been such a huge police presence but they just don’t know what exactly has happened.”
