An elderly couple were found with the letters DNR on their foreheads after taking their own lives in a suicide pact, an inquest was told. Peter and Marguerite Norris also left a letter stating: "our lives, our choice" before their deaths.
The couple were found in separate bedrooms at their farm in Modbury, Devon in April last year. Both had health problems, Devon Live reports.
An inquest into their deaths was held at Plymouth Coroner's Court on Monday. The hearing was told how they were found on their beds inside the farmhouse. Both had the initials DNR - do not resuscitate - written on their foreheads.
Mr Norris, 75, was a retired company director, while Mrs Norris, 74, was a retired teacher. GP records showed Mr Norris had been suffering chronic pain following two strokes in 2007 and 2010, and also had osteoarthritis. He had tried virtually tried all painkillers available but was still suffering from 'a degree' of neuropathic pain. The hearing was told how he had said he never wanted to go into hospital again.
A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was an overdose of painkillers. He was also found to have coronary artery disease and chronic renal disease.
Mrs Norris died as a result of drug toxicity. She was also found to have several life-threatening conditions, including chronic kidney disease and heart disease.
The inquest was told police were called to the property after a neighbour raised concerns after not seeing them for around a week. After entering the property, officers found Mr Norris passed away in a bedroom and Mrs Norris dead in another bedroom further along the corridor.
In Mrs Norris's room, in a small crate on a desk was found their updated wills and other paperwork which would need looking at following their deaths. Details were also given of how their passports to identify them could be found in the safe.
In the front room, officers found instructions had been left about the heating and lighting in the property, and to keep the curtains drawn to prevent the furniture from fading. Details of their final wishes had also been noted.
Police later discovered the couple had sent a letter to their solicitor in which it explained, 'our lives, our choice'. The police investigation confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
Police officer Keeley Topham, told the hearing: "All the evidence suggests the sad death of Mr and Mrs Norris was due to suicide with no third party involvement." Coroner Ian Arrow said he had 'sadly' come to a conclusion of suicide for both deaths.
