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Paul and Jean Laithwaite's deaths were described as a mind-numbing tragedy
A woman shot her husband in his sleep at their Flintshire home before taking an overdose herself, an inquest has heard.
The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on Paul Laithwaite, 64, and ruled that Jean Laithwaite, 65, had taken her own life.
The inquest heard she had been struggling to come to terms with the death of her father in 2008.
Police found a note at their Sealand home with Mrs Laithwaite's name on it.
It said: "My soul is full of sorrow to the point of death" and was signed "Jean".
Two of their three sons discovered what had happened when they went to the house after their calls went unanswered.
North East Wales coroner John Hughes described it as a mind-numbing tragedy.
The inquest at Flint heard how Mr Laithwaite had been shot to the head with his own double-barrelled shotgun as he lay asleep in bed.
His wife had then taken a cocktail of prescribed drugs and alcohol in the bath, and had slumped forward in the water, which restricted her air ways.
What caused the tragedy remained a mystery although the inquest heard that Mrs Laithwaite was depressed following the death of her father.
A spokesperson from the family said in a statement after the hearing: "The family wishes to thank the coroner, North Wales Police and associated experts for the thoroughness of their investigation and the sensitivity in which it was conducted.
"Paul and Jean Laithwaite from the time they first met were inseparable.
"The family takes comfort in knowing that they continue to be together as they would have wished."
North Wales Police said in a statement: "This has been a very traumatic time for the family and friends of the Laithwaites and they are still trying to come to terms with the deaths of Jean and Paul."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Paul and Jean Laithwaite's deaths were described as a mind-numbing tragedy A woman shot her husband in his sleep at their Flintshire home before taking an overdose herself, an inquest has heard.
The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on Paul Laithwaite, 64, and ruled that Jean Laithwaite, 65, had taken her own life.
The inquest heard she had been struggling to come to terms with the death of her father in 2008.
Police found a note at their Sealand home with Mrs Laithwaite's name on it.
It said: "My soul is full of sorrow to the point of death" and was signed "Jean".
Two of their three sons discovered what had happened when they went to the house after their calls went unanswered.
North East Wales coroner John Hughes described it as a mind-numbing tragedy.
The inquest at Flint heard how Mr Laithwaite had been shot to the head with his own double-barrelled shotgun as he lay asleep in bed.
His wife had then taken a cocktail of prescribed drugs and alcohol in the bath, and had slumped forward in the water, which restricted her air ways.
What caused the tragedy remained a mystery although the inquest heard that Mrs Laithwaite was depressed following the death of her father.
A spokesperson from the family said in a statement after the hearing: "The family wishes to thank the coroner, North Wales Police and associated experts for the thoroughness of their investigation and the sensitivity in which it was conducted.
"Paul and Jean Laithwaite from the time they first met were inseparable.
"The family takes comfort in knowing that they continue to be together as they would have wished."
North Wales Police said in a statement: "This has been a very traumatic time for the family and friends of the Laithwaites and they are still trying to come to terms with the deaths of Jean and Paul."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.