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Separation fear led to OAP deaths Separation fear led to OAP deaths
(about 2 hours later)
A man suffocated his wife then killed himself because he feared they might be split up for the first time in their married lives, an inquest has heard.A man suffocated his wife then killed himself because he feared they might be split up for the first time in their married lives, an inquest has heard.
Retired dentist Tom Hughes, 82, used a pillow to smother his wife Nancie, 86, when she became ill, then drowned himself in the bath.Retired dentist Tom Hughes, 82, used a pillow to smother his wife Nancie, 86, when she became ill, then drowned himself in the bath.
Their bodies were found at their home in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.Their bodies were found at their home in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.
The Gwent coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing for Mrs Hughes and said Mr Hughes had killed himself. The Gwent coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing for Mrs Hughes and said her husband had killed himself.
Mr Hughes was found in the bath and his wife was found lying in their bed under a duvet with a pillow over her face, the inquest in Newport was told.Mr Hughes was found in the bath and his wife was found lying in their bed under a duvet with a pillow over her face, the inquest in Newport was told.
A note written by Mr Hughes was found by his son Trevor Hughes when he went to his parents' Monmouthshire home on 11 May after becoming concerned at being unable to contact them. A note written by Mr Hughes was found by his son Trevor Hughes when he went to his parents' home on 11 May after becoming concerned at being unable to contact them.
Coroner David Bowen said: "It indicated his wife had suffered a cataclysmic mental event shortly after she had been on the phone to one of her sons.Coroner David Bowen said: "It indicated his wife had suffered a cataclysmic mental event shortly after she had been on the phone to one of her sons.
They were devoted to one another and inseparable David Bowen, Gwent coronerThey were devoted to one another and inseparable David Bowen, Gwent coroner
"Rather than allow her to face an uncertain future he took his wife's life and then his own so that, as in life and in death, they would not be separated.""Rather than allow her to face an uncertain future he took his wife's life and then his own so that, as in life and in death, they would not be separated."
The couple were "fiercely independent" Mr Bowen said, but Mr Hughes realised his wife was becoming less mobile.The couple were "fiercely independent" Mr Bowen said, but Mr Hughes realised his wife was becoming less mobile.
"Both were active in their early years but the onset of old age had not been kind to Mrs Hughes," he said."Both were active in their early years but the onset of old age had not been kind to Mrs Hughes," he said.
"She had bad arthritis which affected her mobility, particularly in the last few weeks of her life when she became almost housebound."She had bad arthritis which affected her mobility, particularly in the last few weeks of her life when she became almost housebound.
"He had become very deaf and concerned of problems due to their increasing old age and the effect it might have on their much-valued independence.""He had become very deaf and concerned of problems due to their increasing old age and the effect it might have on their much-valued independence."
The hearing was told that Mr Hughes had laid out money in another room of the house and arranged his financial affairs before taking his wife's life and then his own.The hearing was told that Mr Hughes had laid out money in another room of the house and arranged his financial affairs before taking his wife's life and then his own.
Trevor Hughes said his mother's hands had become "clubbed", that she could hardly pick things up and was having difficulty walking.Trevor Hughes said his mother's hands had become "clubbed", that she could hardly pick things up and was having difficulty walking.
He said social services were assessing his mother's condition so their home could be adapted.He said social services were assessing his mother's condition so their home could be adapted.
He had been concerned about his mother when he visited her on 4 May and that she showed signs of mental deterioration, Mr Hughes told the hearing.He had been concerned about his mother when he visited her on 4 May and that she showed signs of mental deterioration, Mr Hughes told the hearing.
His father appeared to be "struggling" to manage, the inquest heard, and told his son: "If things continue in this vein, we may need to consider a home."His father appeared to be "struggling" to manage, the inquest heard, and told his son: "If things continue in this vein, we may need to consider a home."
'Very independent''Very independent'
Trevor Hughes said: "That surprised me. It's the first time he had ever mentioned anything on that level before. They were very independent."Trevor Hughes said: "That surprised me. It's the first time he had ever mentioned anything on that level before. They were very independent."
He dismissed speculation his parents were worried about being moved to separate homes, which was reported at the time of their deaths.He dismissed speculation his parents were worried about being moved to separate homes, which was reported at the time of their deaths.
Post-mortem examinations revealed Mrs Hughes suffocated and that Mr Hughes had drowned.Post-mortem examinations revealed Mrs Hughes suffocated and that Mr Hughes had drowned.
Father-of-two Mr Hughes was a dentist for more than 30 years and his wife worked as his receptionist at the family practice.Father-of-two Mr Hughes was a dentist for more than 30 years and his wife worked as his receptionist at the family practice.
Mr Bowen said it was with "great regret" he had to record a verdict that Mrs Hughes was unlawfully killed, and that her husband killed himself.Mr Bowen said it was with "great regret" he had to record a verdict that Mrs Hughes was unlawfully killed, and that her husband killed himself.
"They were devoted to one another and inseparable," he said."They were devoted to one another and inseparable," he said.
"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 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."