A wife who was found dead alongside her husband in a suspected murder-suicide at their £800,000 home on New Year’s Eve had not been well, family friends claim.
The bodies of Michael and Heather Newton, both in their 70s, were discovered in their large detached seaside property close to Poole Harbour in Dorset at 11.35am on December 31.
According to a friend Mrs Newton, 70, had ‘not been well’ and it is believed her husband assisted her death ‘out of mercy’ before taking his own life.
Police confirmed they do not believe anybody else was involved and said Mr Newton’s death was not suspicious while his wife’s death was ‘unexplained’.
Friends have today paid tribute to the ‘lovely and beautiful’ couple who had spent their retirement years enjoying their speedboat in Poole Harbour.
One friend, who did not want to be named said: ‘They were dear friends and beautiful people. Whatever happened, I’m sure there was no malice involved. Heather was not well.’
The friend said they did not know any details about what happened but said it would have been ‘out of mercy’ and that it was not a ‘murder-suicide’ incident.
Another neighbour said they believed Mrs Newton was suffering from Huntington’s disease, a fatal illness which causes nerve cells in the brain to decay over time.
Michael and Heather Newton, both in their 70s, were found dead in their £800,000 house
The elderly couple pictured on a boat together. An older-style speedboat was also seen on the drive of the cream-painted large detatched house as well as a police car
Police pictured outside the couple’s property in Lilliput, Poole
The neighbour said today: ‘I last saw them before Christmas where I think they went to visit family in Sussex.There was nothing unusual and they seemed fine.
‘They were lovely neighbours and Michael would take out the bins for me. I know she was not well – I think she had Huntington’s disease.
‘Whatever happened, I’m glad there was no third party involvement, but until the inquest we will not get answers. It is a shock.’
The couple, who married in 1989, are not thought to have had children, the Telegraph report.
The Newtons green Jaguar S-type car with a personalised number plate and a silver Honda, also with a personalised plate, remain parked on the driveway today.
Their older-style speedboat is also on drive of the cream-painted property.
Poignant photos Mrs Newton previously posted on social media appear to show the couple on the boat on the water of Poole Harbour.
Mrs Newton was a director of Priesthawes Farms of Polegate, East Sussex, which grows cereals, leguminous crops and oil seeds.
The Newtons had lived in the property in the affluent Liliputt suburb of Poole since 2006.
Police are now launching an investigation into the double death
Detective Inspector Ian Allen, of Dorset Police, said: ‘Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish exactly what happened and a cordon is in place’
Mark Dobson, whose wife Eleanor is a niece of the Newtons, said: ‘We’re working with the police at the moment. It’s all very shocking and we’re just trying to process it. We don’t know anything at the moment about what actually happened’
A family friend who knew the Newtons for many years said: ‘I really am shocked because they were really lovely, lovely people.
‘I know people who were much closer to them than I am are really struggling to come to terms with it. I wouldn’t want to say too much more. It’s all very upsetting.’
A neighbour said: ‘Yes it’s Michael and Heather Newton. We knew them as neighbours.’
Another neighbour said: ‘All I know is that it’s a very tragic incident but that’s it.’
A spokesperson for Dorset police said: ‘The death of the man is not being treated as suspicious. The death of the woman is being treated as unexplained. The next of kin is continuing to be supported by specialist officers as enquiries continue.’
Detective Inspector Ian Allen, of Dorset Police, said: ‘This is a very sad incident and we are doing all we can to support the next of kin.
‘Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish exactly what happened and a cordon is in place to allow a thorough investigation of the scene to take place.
‘At this time, it is not believed anyone else was involved in the incident and enquiries will continue to find out the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.
‘I am appealing to anyone who may have any information to help our investigation to please contact Dorset Police.
‘We are trying to establish a timeline of what happened, but are currently considering the period over the Christmas holidays until today.
‘There will be an increased police presence in the area and we would encourage anyone to contact officers from the local neighbourhood policing team if they have any concerns or information.’