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'Mystery' of elderly pair deaths Mystery of elderly couple deaths
(about 5 hours later)
The reason why an elderly couple both bled to death in their flat in Newport, south east Wales, will "forever be a complete mystery," a coroner has said. The reason why an elderly couple both bled to death in their flat will "forever be a complete mystery," a coroner has said.
Charles Evans, 73, and Eira Underwood, 66, were found on their backs within feet of each other in May 2005.Charles Evans, 73, and Eira Underwood, 66, were found on their backs within feet of each other in May 2005.
Police thought the pair may have been robbed because the flat was so untidy. But post-mortem examinations showed they had each died of gastric bleeding. Gwent Police thought the pair may have been robbed because the flat was so untidy, but post-mortems examinations showed they died of gastric bleeding.
Gwent Coroner David Bowen recorded open verdicts. Gwent coroner David Bowen recorded open verdicts on the Newport couple.
The bodies of the couple, who had been together more than 20 years, were found by a friend who had last seen them alive five days earlier.The bodies of the couple, who had been together more than 20 years, were found by a friend who had last seen them alive five days earlier.
Archie Gadd told the hearing his friend, Mr Evans, had become frail in recent years and had started to show symptoms of depression.Archie Gadd told the hearing his friend, Mr Evans, had become frail in recent years and had started to show symptoms of depression.
The deaths of Mr Evans and his partner Eira Underwood have been among the most mysterious I have ever been called to investigate Gwent Coroner David Bowen The deaths of Mr Evans and his partner Eira Underwood have been among the most mysterious I have ever been called to investigate Gwent coroner David Bowen
He added that Ms Underwood's alcohol abuse had become worse since the death of her mother. He said Ms Underwood's alcohol abuse had become worse since the death of her mother.
He said Mr Evans was not waiting by the window as expected ahead of their weekly shopping trip, so he continued up to the second-floor apartment for the first time.He said Mr Evans was not waiting by the window as expected ahead of their weekly shopping trip, so he continued up to the second-floor apartment for the first time.
He said: "I shouted up and then went to the door and into the room. When I opened the door, that was when I saw them."He said: "I shouted up and then went to the door and into the room. When I opened the door, that was when I saw them."
SuspicionsSuspicions
Ms Underwood was naked from the waist up, lying in the living room near the settee. Mr Evans was about 4ft (1.2m) away with his head towards the bedroom. Both had blood around their mouth.Ms Underwood was naked from the waist up, lying in the living room near the settee. Mr Evans was about 4ft (1.2m) away with his head towards the bedroom. Both had blood around their mouth.
"He (Mr Evans) was staring into space and they had this blood stuff," said Mr Gadd. "I didn't stay too long and dialled 999. It was terrible.""He (Mr Evans) was staring into space and they had this blood stuff," said Mr Gadd. "I didn't stay too long and dialled 999. It was terrible."
Gwent Police Detective Inspector David Edwards said initial suspicions of robbery were ruled out when no forced entry was found and it was learnt the flat had been untidy for some time. Det Insp David Edwards said initial suspicions of robbery were ruled out when no forced entry was found and it was learnt the flat had been untidy for some time.
He added tests, with samples sent to London's Guy's Hospital, had ruled out drugs and carbon monoxide poisoning. He said tests, with samples sent to London's Guy's Hospital, had ruled out drugs and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Mr Bowen said: "There is no doubt the terminal cause was gastric bleeding which accounted for the blood around the mouth but the underlying cause of bleeding was unable to be ascertained.Mr Bowen said: "There is no doubt the terminal cause was gastric bleeding which accounted for the blood around the mouth but the underlying cause of bleeding was unable to be ascertained.
"There is no evidence of trauma or third party involvement or natural disease in the body which would account for the deaths."There is no evidence of trauma or third party involvement or natural disease in the body which would account for the deaths.
'Blank'
"The deaths of Mr Evans and his partner Eira Underwood have been among the most mysterious I have ever been called to investigate."The deaths of Mr Evans and his partner Eira Underwood have been among the most mysterious I have ever been called to investigate.
"Extensive tests using the country's foremost experts and state-of-the-art equipment have also drawn a blank.""Extensive tests using the country's foremost experts and state-of-the-art equipment have also drawn a blank."
He said it was "exceptional" for two people to be found dead, without explanation, in the same room and at about the same time.He said it was "exceptional" for two people to be found dead, without explanation, in the same room and at about the same time.