Forensic officers examine boat of elderly couple as police probe their deaths
The bodies of the couple, aged in their 70s, were found at their home in Poole, Dorset, on December 31.
Neighbours have spoken of their disbelief at the death of an elderly couple in a seaside town as forensic officers examine a boat on their driveway.
Detectives launched an investigation after the discovery of the two bodies at a house in Anthony’s Avenue, Poole, Dorset, at 11.35am on Tuesday December 31.
The couple have been named locally as Heather and Michael Newton.
Neighbour Edward Ramsbottom, 86, told the PA news agency: “I couldn’t really believe it, we are just trying to think what it could have been about.
“We have heard that she was ill, with Huntington’s disease, but we didn’t know that until now, it’s very sad.”
Mr Ramsbottom said that Mrs Newton used to work as a secretary at the former Dormy Hotel in Ferndown while he understood that Mr Newton was involved in the road construction industry.
He added that Mrs Newton was a “sleeping director” of Priesthawes Farms in Pevensey, East Sussex, which he said he understood to have been her family’s farm and where they would visit at Christmas time.
Mr Ramsbottom said: “They were very pleasant, they had their little boat and used to go out in the harbour.
“When he brought it back to the house in early November I said ‘What a rotten summer you have had’ but he replied, ‘Oh no, we went out quite a few times and enjoyed it’.
“They liked that boat, that was their way of relaxing. He was a calm, relaxed person.”
His wife, Gillian Ramsbottom, 84, said: “It’s very sad, we don’t know exactly how he died or how she died.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I didn’t know them as we moved in recently but it’s very sad.”
Forensic officers wearing boiler suits could be seen on Friday carrying out searches of the couple’s boat and car both parked on the driveway.
Bunches of flowers had also been left at the entrance to the driveway.
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 inquiries 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 inquiries 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 (December 31).
“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.”
