Stowmarket deaths: Husband killed wife then himself, inquest hears

Sarah and Richard Pitkin had been married for 37 years

A husband killed his wife and then hanged himself, an inquest has heard.

The bodies of Sarah and Richard Pitkin were found at a house in Stowmarket, near Ipswich, on 26 February.

The hearing in Ipswich heard Mr Pitkin, 65, was found hanging in the bedroom. His wife's body was on the bed with multiple stab wounds.

Det Supt David Cutler, from Suffolk Police, said: "Everything points to Richard murdering Sarah before taking his own life."

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The inquest opening was told Mrs Pitkin, 58, had been living at a different address at the time, having moved out of the couple's home a few weeks earlier.

Investigations into their deaths are continuing, the coroner was told.

Suffolk Police officers were called to Stowupland Street in Stowmarket on 26 February

It was heard the couple had been married 37 years and had four adult children.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.

He offered condolences to the couple's family and friends.

Mrs Pitkin worked as an assistant manager at the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop in Bury Street, close to Stowupland Street where the bodies were found.

Her husband ran a carpentry and decorating business.