Poole man 'killed wife then took his own life after her disease symptoms worsened'
The bodies of Michael and Heather Newton were found at their home in Poole on December 31 last year
A retired salesman took his own life after killing his wife after he struggled to cope with her deteriorating condition from suspected Huntingdon's disease, an inquest has heard.
The bodies of Michael and Heather Newton were found at their home in Anthony's Avenue, Poole, Dorset, at 11.35am on December 31 last year.
A Bournemouth inquest heard that Mrs Newton, 70, died as a result of head injuries, possibly caused by a claw hammer, and strangulation by a ligature and 76-year-old Mr Newton had hanged himself.
The hearing was told that Mrs Newton's family had a history of the inherited brain disorder Huntingdon's disease which had claimed the lives of her sister, Patricia, and father.
Her brother, Christopher Wadman, said in a statement read to the inquest that his sister, who had worked as a hotel conference secretary, had shown deteriorating symptoms when the couple visited for Christmas.
He said these included signs of jerky movements known as chorea, weight loss, slurred speech and irritability.
Mr Wadman said: "During this period of time where Heather's Huntingdon's had developed, Michael has been brilliant to her with his support and helping her get through it.
"Heather's condition had worsened more than any of us had actually realised and it was a shock. She had always been in denial about it."
His cousin, Dr Simon Wadman, said that he had called Mr Newton to offer his support on Boxing Day after the couple had returned home early.
He said that Mr Newton had told him that the "last three or four weeks had been very difficult and Heather had been very emotionally unstable and irritable, he felt like he had been walking on egg shells, Heather was in denial about her condition which made it difficult to manage."
He added the conversation had not "raised any alarm bells and news of their deaths was completely unexpected".
The inquest heard that Mrs Newton had an appointment with a neurologist in September 2024 because of the chorea symptoms but she had declined further tests for Huntingdon's disease.
Dr Russell Delaney, a Home Office forensic pathologist told the inquest that Mrs Newton's cause of death was blunt impact head injuries, which were similar to those that would be made by a claw hammer, and forceful compression of the neck.
He added that analysis of her brain showed "long-standing changes consistent with Huntingdon's disease".
Dr Delaney said the cause of death for Mr Newton was suspension by a ligature.
Detective Inspector Ian Allen, of Dorset Police, said that a note in Mr Newton's handwriting was found at the house, adding: "It gives rise to the hypothesis that Michael was struggling with Heather's condition."
Coroner Brendan Allen recorded a conclusion of suicide for Mr Newton and unlawful killing for Mrs Newton.
He said that Mrs Newton had been killed on the afternoon of December 27 before Mr Newton took his own life.
He said: "Heather Newton and Michael Newton were a happily married couple who were devoted to each other, comfortable in each other's company and supportive of each other.
"They appeared to have a wide circle of friends and family who all thought highly of them.
"In Mrs Newton's family there is a history of Huntingdon's disease and in more recent years Mrs Newton began to display several symptoms consistent with that condition.
"This is something Mrs Newton did not want to talk about or address.
"It seems the symptoms of Huntingdon's disease became more pronounced in the weeks leading up to Christmas with friends noting Mrs Newton becoming agitated and confused and when this was raised with Mr Newton he admitted he was struggling to cope with these new symptoms."