A COUPLE "devoted to each other" were found dead at their Abergavenny home by their daughter-in-law, an inquest heard.
Retired dentist Thomas Hughes, 81, suffocated his wife Nancie, 86, before killing himself after the "fiercely independent" couple were finding it hard to cope when Mrs Hughes became ill and less mobile.
Gwent coroner David Bowen said, "Rather than allow her to face an uncertain future, Mr Hughes took his wife's life, and then his own, so that as in life, so in death, they would not be separated.'
Mr Hughes was found dead in the bath at their home in Frogmore Street, Newport Coroners' Court was told. His wife, who had worked alongside him as his receptionist, was lying in their bed under a duvet with a pillow over her face.
A note written by Mr Hughes was found by son Trevor when he went to his parents' home on May 11 this year after becoming increasingly concerned at being unable to contact them.
"We were a close family, very happy," their son told the court, "I went to my parents' home with my wife and son Jamie. We had a familiar ring, so they knew it was us at the door and they would look out through the window and we would step back fo them to see us. There was no reply so I went inside. I found a hand written note in dad's writing. I read it a few times and it overcame me. I went back down stairs and my wife agreed to look for them."
Mr Bowen said, "Your wife found Mrs Hughes in bed under the duvet and your dad lying in the bath. The emergency services were called."
He said the note, which was produced in court, stated that Mrs Hughes, who had rheumatoid arthritis, suffered a "cataclysmic mental event' on the night of her death.
"He was concerned over the problems that increasing old age might hold, and the particular impact that might have on their much-valued independence.'
Trevor Hughes said his mother's hands had become "clubbed', that she could hardly pick things up and was having difficulty walking.
He told the inquest social services were assessing his mother's condition so their home could be adapted but they were not going to be separated, as had been speculated.
Mr Bowen said before suffocating his wife, Mr Hughes had prepared the finances for his family.
"Investigations concluded that Mrs Hughes was dead in the bed on her back and that the pressure marks are consistent with the pillow being held on her face, there was no evidence of a struggle. Mr Hughes was found face down in the bath. There was no water in the bath at the time police arrived but there was evidence of water beneath the rubber mat in the bath," said Mr Bowen.
"There was no evidence of a third party involvement. In another room money was placed out on the table and everything was left in a methodical manner. The family affairs seemed to be prepared in advance."
Doctor Stephen Leadbetter, a consultant pathologist told the court that a post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Hughes suffocated and that Mr Hughes had drowned.
Mr Bowen said the couple were "devoted to one another."
"They not only worked together, but enjoyed the same leisure activities, such as walking and golf, and they were never happier than when in each other's company.
"They were inseparable, working together for more than 30 years and enjoyed an active life. However, the onset of old age, not particularly kind to Mrs Hughes, as she became almost housebound and bad arthritis affected her abilities."
He said it was with "great regret' he had to record a verdict that Mrs Hughes was unlawfully killed, and that her husband killed himself.