Pensioner stabs wife in neck because her coughing is ‘driving him mad’ — then dies after crashing car into tree
Edward Furneaux, 74, told pals he was 'at the end of his tether'
A PENSIONER killed his wife of 50 years because her loud coughing was “driving him mad”, an inquest heard.
Edward Furneaux, 74, knifed Ann, 70, and battered her with a hammer.
He then died after getting into his car and crashing into a tree at 60mph in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
His bedbound wife had emphysema and pulmonary disease, the Bristol inquest heard. He suffered a lack of sleep and told pals he was “at the end of his tether”.
Retiree had also complained about her loud coughing which could be heard next door and had been prescribed sleeping pills, worn ear defenders and slept in a separate room.
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Mr Furneaux, who acted as his wife's carer, visited his GP three days before the attack and said he was stressed.
When officers discovered the crime scene, Mrs Furneaux was slouched over her breakfast in bed.
The retired nurse had sustained a fatal knife wound to the neck and been beaten around a head with a claw hammer, which lay on top of the quilt beside a tray.
In the bathroom a kitchen knife was found covered in blood as attempts had been made to wash the blade clean.
In a narrative verdict, Avon coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said Mr Furneaux may not have meant to kill himself.
A conclusion of unlawful killing was recorded for Ann Furneaux.