Pensioner couple died in suicide pact, inquest told
Two pensioners died at home in an apparent suicide pact, an inquest has concluded.
John Beresford Lucas, who was 86, and Mavis Dorothy Lucas, 75, were both found dead at their home in Newport on November 26, 2018.
Inquests have been held in the intervening years to determine the circumstances around their deaths, and a brief hearing in Shrewsbury yesterday concluded that Mr Lucas died by suicide while his wife died by way of unlawful killing.
They were found lying next to each other. Evidence showed that Mr Lucas had asphyxiated.
Shropshire’s coroner Mr John Ellery heard that Mr Lucas had written about his intention to kill both his wife and himself.
The hearing was told police and ambulance staff were called when the two were found, and their bodies were identified to a police officer by the manager of the housing scheme.
Need help? If you have been affected by this article help and advice is available from: Samaritans – 116 123 or samaritans.org; Shropshire Mind – 01743 368647 or shropshiremind.org; Telford Mind – 07434 869248 or telford-mind.co.uk; Access Service for Adult Mental Health – 03001 240365; Every Mind Matters – nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
