Retired Salesman Takes Tragic Action as Wife's Illness Deteriorates at Their Seaside Home

A RETIRED salesman strangled his terminally ill wife before taking his own life when her condition worsened, an inquest heard.

Michael and Heather Newton were discovered dead at their seaside home in Poole, , on December 31 last year.

Heather Newton was showing signs of Huntingdon’s DiseaseCredit: BNPS She and Michael Newton were found dead at homeCredit: BNPS

The inquest was told Heather, 70, died as a result of head injuries, possibly caused by a claw hammer, and strangulation.

Analysis of her brain showed “long-standing changes consistent with Huntingdon’s disease”.

Her 76-year-old husband’s cause of death was given as hanging.

Heather’s family had a history of the inherited brain disorder, which had claimed the lives of her sister, Patricia, and dad.

Her brother Christopher Wadman told the she had shown deteriorating symptoms when the couple visited for Christmas.

These included signs of jerky movements known as chorea, weight loss, slurred speech and irritability.

Christopher 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.”

The inquest heard Heather had an appointment with a neurologist in September 2024 because of the chorea symptoms but she had declined further tests for Huntingdon’s disease.

Her cousin, Dr Simon Wadman, said he had called Michael to offer his support on Boxing Day after the couple returned home early.

He said retired salesman Michael told him that the “last three or four weeks had been very difficult”.

Michael went to reveal she was “emotionally unstable and irritable” and he felt he was “walking on eggshells”.

He also claimed she was “in denial” about her condition, which made it “difficult to manage”.

But Dr Wadman said the conversation had not “raised any alarm bells and news of their deaths was completely unexpected”.

Detective Inspector Ian Allen, of Dorset , told the inquest officers found a note at the house that “gives rise to the hypothesis that Michael was struggling with Heather’s condition”.

Coroner Brendan Allen recorded a conclusion of suicide for Michael and unlawful killing for Heather.

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.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

Police found a handwritten note at the couple’s homeCredit: BNPS