Did 79-year-old woman kill her cancer-stricken husband of 60 years?

Picture: Pixabay

Picture: Pixabay

Published Feb 26, 2018

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London - A woman aged 79 has been questioned on suspicion of murdering her 82-year-old husband, who had fought a ‘long battle’ with cancer.

Neighbours told how two ambulances arrived at the bungalow of Kenneth Eccleston and his wife Mavis on Monday and took both of them away.

They also said they saw forensics teams collect what appeared to be ‘medication’ from the house.

Mr Eccleston’s daughter paid tribute to her father, who was known as Dennis, writing on Facebook that her parents’ 60-year marriage was a ‘true love affair’.

The former pitman was described by neighbours as a quiet man who loved tending to the garden of the couple’s bungalow in a cul-de-sac in Huntington, near Cannock in Staffordshire.

His daughter Joy Munns wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: ‘I’ve had to say goodnight to my Dad today. After a long battle with cancer he finally lost his fight.

‘I’m so lucky to have known the love of this man, he was my biggest supporter, always so proud of me and championed me regardless of what I put my mind to?…?I will miss him with all my heart but know he’s now at peace.

‘Sixty years married to my Mom [sic]. A true love affair, he was the head of our family, been a wonderful role model, my Mom and Dad should be so proud of themselves they have raised a family with so much love, manners and respect.

‘Goodnight and God bless my wonderful Dad I love you with all of my heart.’

Mrs Munns, 52, declined to comment at her home in Derbyshire yesterday. Police said the 79-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday has been released under investigation.

It is thought Mr Eccleston and his wife had lived on the road for more than 20 years and have at least three grown-up children.

One neighbour said: ‘We never saw much of him, he was quite a quiet chap.

‘He used to do the garden but in the last 12 months he had someone doing it as he lost a lot of strength – in the last few months he got old quick.’

Another neighbour said: ‘Forensics took a lot of medication away. They were both taken away in separate ambulances. She went first then he went out about 40 minutes later?…?They went with flashing blue lights and sirens, she looked in a bad way, she had an oxygen mask on but no injuries I could see?…?The other ambulance pulled right to the back door for him so we couldn’t see.’

Lee Ford, 49, who lives near to the bungalow, said that Mrs Eccleston ‘walks with a stick’.

He added: ‘The husband, I was told he had cancer but he seemed fit and able to me – he kept the garden pristine?…?Police were outside the house for three days and nights and CID was knocking on every door.’

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: ‘Following the death of an 82-year-old man from Cannock on Tuesday, we arrested a 79-year-old woman from Cannock on suspicion of murder on Wednesday. The woman has since been released under investigation as we investigate the circumstances of the man’s death further.

‘Officers are providing advice and support to the family at this difficult time.’

Daily Mail

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