The family of a Didsbury couple named in a report which urged detectives to re-examine their deaths ruled as murder-suicide has said they never believed the husband killed his wife.
An inquest heard Michael Higgins, 59, bludgeoned his ex-polifce officer wife Violet, 76, to death before throttling himself.
A bombshell report, written by the senior coroner’s officer for Cheshire, has called for a review of their deaths after claims they could be linked to two Wilmslow cases thay may have been the work of a serial killer.
According to a document seen by The Sunday Times, a murderer may have been attacking elderly couples since the mid-1990s.
It found similarities between five murder suicides in the north west, including the Higgins, and another couple from Greater Manchester.
Members of the Higgins family have since contacted The Sunday Times to say they never believed Michael was capable of such a violent attack.
They believe he has been wrongly accused for 20 years, according to reports in the newspaper today.
A statement, supported by Michael’s brother Daniel and sister Betty said: “We welcome the report as we have always believed that Michael was incapable of committing the acts described in the coroner’s report.
"Michael was suffering from advanced Parkinson’s and had become very frail. He also suffered from cancer which affected his sight.
“We knew Michael as a kind, gentle and intelligent man who was devoted to his wife Violet.”
Coroner Leonard Gorodkin concluded Mrs Higgins' death had been a result of unlawful killing, while recording Mr Higgins' death as suicide.
Chief coroner's officer for Cheshire Stephanie Davies' report claimed similarities between five murder suicides in the north west mean they could have been the work of the same killer.
It examines the deaths of Howard and Bea Ainsworth in 1996 and Donald and Auriel Ward in 1999, in Wilmslow.
It also calls for a review of three more cases - including the deaths of Michael and Violet Higgins, and Kenneth and Eileen Martin at their home in Davyhulme, Trafford, in 2008.
In both of the Greater Manchester cases, the female victim was stabbed in the neck and suffered 'blunt force trauma' to the head.
The Sunday Times also revealed that the prime suspect in the case has been named in a confidential report.
The man, from the north, who cannot be named for legal reasons, strongly denies any involvement.
Cheshire Police are reviewing the report.
They have contacted Greater Manchester Police as part of the review.
Detective Chief Superintendent Aaron Duggan, head of crime at Cheshire police and who is leading the force’s review, said: “The contents of the report and its conclusions are being considered by detectives.
“At this time there is no reason to believe that the cases were not investigated by the police appropriately. They were also the subject of inquests. For these reasons, the constabulary has not reopened the cases. However, this decision will remain under review.”
