Man shot his wife dead, then himself

A MAN shot his wife and their dog and then turned the gun on himself, an inquest heard.

- HOLLY MORGAN Reporter

Stephen Jefferies, 74, and his wife Christine, 72, were found dead at their Cardiff home by their daughter.

Diary entries made by Mr Jeffries and his wife paint a picture of his deteriorating mental state in the run-up to the pair's death.

Daughter Martine told the inquest at Pontypridd Coroners' Court yesterday: "I don't think my mother was involved in any of this. I found a cake she had made. She was going to write Christmas cards with a neighbour."

She found the couple's bodies at their home in Morfa Crescent in October last year. The couple had been married for more than 50 years and had two children.

The inquest heard how retired council worker Mr Jeffries owned guns as he used to go clay or pheasant shooting. His daughter said she thought he had sold his collection but police found a rifle with a sound moderator at the scene.