Husband, 59, shot wife dead then killed himself in murder-suicide at isolated family farm, inquest confirms
A HUSBAND shot his wife dead then killed himself in a murder-suicide on their isolated family farm, an inquest concluded.
Rachel Harrison, 54, was shot twice in the head and once in the chest by 59-year-old Richard Harrison.
Her body was discovered in the stable at the couple's farm in Saddington, Leicestershire, on December 15, 2023.
They were both declared dead at the scene by a paramedic shortly before police arrived.
An inquest found Harrison shot Rachel using a legally-owned rifle.
The cattle buyer then shot himself in the head with the same weapon.
Leicestershire Area Coroner Ivan Cartwright said: "In shooting Mrs Harrison, her husband intended to kill or to cause her serious bodily harm."
The court was told the relationship between the pair had been strained "for some years".
However, it "broken down irretrievably" in the months leading up to their deaths.
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Neighbours previously told of their “shock and sadness” following the horror.
One local said: "They were a lovely and decent couple and our hearts go out to their family.
"It is a terrible thing to happen, really shocking, and has upset so many of us at a time when we should all be looking forward to celebrating Christmas with loved ones."
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
One member of the parish council, who asked not to be named, said Richard and Rachel were very much respected and that their deaths had rocked the farming town.
They added: “I know of them, they ran the local farm and they were liked and well respected by many.
“I think the whole village is quite devastated by it all.
"It's a quiet village, but most people know each other and, although he kept himself to himself, he went down to the village pub quite often."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
