Couple wrote 'Do not resuscitate' on foreheads before taking their own lives, inquest hears

An elderly couple took their own lives after writing DNR - short for "do not resuscitate" - on their foreheads, an inquest has heard.

Peter and Marguerite Norris were found dead in their beds in separate bedrooms of their home in Modbury, Devon, on 8 April last year.

They had written a letter to their solicitor saying, "Our lives, our choice".

Both Mr Norris, 75, a retired company director, and Mrs Norris, 74, a retired teacher, had been suffering from ill health, Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon Coroner’s Court heard at an inquest on Monday.

Mr Norris had been suffering from chronic pain following strokes in 2007 and 2010 and also had osteoarthritis, the inquest heard. He had said he never wanted to go into hospital again.

Toxicology tests carried out on the couple found they both died as a result of drug overdoses of prescribed medication, the inquest heard.

Mr Norris had coronary artery disease and chronic renal disease, while Mrs Norris had chronic kidney disease and heart disease, the inquest was told.

Police investigator Keeley Topham told the inquest that a concern for welfare was reported to police after a neighbour had not seen the couple for about a week.

After entering the property, officers found Mr Norris in a bedroom and Mrs Norris in another bedroom further along the corridor.

The couple's updated wills were found in a small crate on a desk in Mrs Norris's room, along with details of how their passports to identify them could be found in a safe.

Read more: Schoolboy dies after collapsing at lunchtime in 'medical emergency'

In the front room, officers found instructions had been left about the heating and lighting in the property, and to keep the curtains drawn to prevent the furniture from fading. Details of their final wishes had also been noted.

Topham said: "Both the male and female had ‘DNR’ written on their foreheads but (there were) no other suspicious circumstances.

“We spoke with neighbours who had attended that day, none of whom had seen the deceased in the week preceding their deaths.

Police later discovered the couple had sent a letter to their solicitor which explained: "Our lives, our choice". The police investigation concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Topham said: "All the evidence suggests the sad death of Mr and Mrs Norris was due to suicide with no third party involvement."

Coroner Ian Arrow said he had "sadly" come to a conclusion of suicide for both deaths.

"I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Peter has decided to take an overdose,” he said.

“It is clear he did not wish to be resuscitated. I sadly, therefore, come to the conclusion he has taken his own life.”

Referring to Mrs Norris, he said: “I am satisfied from the fact she did not want to be resuscitated that she had taken those drugs with an intention of ending her own life.

“I therefore sadly come to the conclusion she has taken her own life.”

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.