Couple's deaths 'motivated by devotion and love'
- Published
The inquest heard that Tudor David wanted to relieve his wife's suffering
A man whose wife was in a persistent vegetative state killed her and himself in an act "solely motivated by devotion and love", says a coroner.
The bodies of Tudor David, 67, and wife Diane, 65, were found in a garage at home at Groesfaen near Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in 2008.
Both had died after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from an engine, an inquest in Aberdare was told.
A narrative verdict was recorded by the coroner, Peter Maddox.
Mrs David had been an inpatient at Rookwood hospital in Cardiff for 18 months after being involved in a road collision that had left her in a persistent vegetative state.
The inquest was told that the hospital had applied to the courts, with the support of the family, to terminate her treatment which would have led to her death, but there had been a number of delays.
On 5 December, 2008, her husband had taken her on what should have been a regular trip home, but concerns were raised when they failed to return to the hospital.
Police later found their bodies in the garage at their home.
'Devoted'
Recording a narrative verdict, the Bridgend and the Glamorgan Valleys coroner, Mr Maddox said: "Mr David was responsible for the circumstances that ended both their lives.
"It was an act solely motivated by devotion and love, and a desire to relieve her suffering on a daily basis.
"In that act he didn't want to be separated from her."
Following the deaths, the couple's two sons had paid tribute to their parents.
"Our parents were a loving caring couple who were totally devoted to one other," they said in a statement released through South Wales Police.
"They were proud parents of two sons and grandparents of three wonderful grandchildren.
"Even though the last couple of years have been difficult for our parents they remained totally devoted to one another.
"They will be sorely missed by everyone who knew them and those who came into contact with them."