A retired farmer shot his wife before turning the gun on himself because he couldn't cope with looking after her.

Surrey Police forced their way into the house of Graham Postlethwaite, 77, and his wife Maureen, 80, in Merstham, Surrey, after concerned neighbours called them

Officers forced their way into the house and discovered the body of Graham Postlethwaite, 77, at the foot of the stairs and Maureen, 80, in her bed with a bullet wound in her head.

Graham and Maureen were discovered dead at their home, in Merstham, Surrey, after concerned neighbours called police in June last year.

Maureen was having problems with memory loss and Graham was feeling 'overwhelmed' looking after his wife.

Woking Coroner's Court heard how in May 2015 her GP had referred her for further tests because it was suspected that she was suffering from dementia.

Rachel Williams, investigating case officer for Surrey Police, said: 'On the kitchen table there was a 2015 diary that Graham wrote in what food to make and listed Maureen's medication and a description of how she was doing in March and her ability to function on a daily basis.

'There was also a 2014 diary with items on what he was doing working at the farm and one entry at the beginning of 2015 he wrote what he expected that the doctor would say about Maureen about how her memory was not doing very well.

'She didn't think she was doing that bad.

'There was also an A4 piece of paper that had a large note saying 'Help' and it said 'I thought there was a way out but there wasn't'.'

Written statements were also read out, including one from Bernie Selby, a former colleague of Graham's, who said that during a visit in May, Maureen did not recognis him and that Graham 'was in a terrible state'.

Maureen and Graham were married in Merstham in 1976.

One of Graham's family members said they had a 'loving relationship', but also described them as a 'private couple'.

At a hearing at Woking Coroner's Court Anna Crawford said there was evidence that Mr Postlethwaite was not coping with his wife's memory loss and suspected dementia so shot her and then himself

Graham was interested in guns as a hobby and was 'very strict' on gun security and he was a licensed gun holder, the inquest heard.

Coroner Anna Crawford said: 'I have heard evidence and I believe there is no third party involvement and no evidence that Maureen was killed in self-defence.

'She was lying on her side and she was shot in the back of her head which was not consistent with her having killed herself.

DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS Memory loss

Impaired judgment

Difficulties with abstract thinking

Faulty reasoning

Inappropriate behavior

Loss of communication skills

Disorientation to time and place

Gait, motor, and balance problems

Neglect of personal care and safety

Hallucinations, paranoia, agitation Advertisement

'I have considered the notes and the diary and there is evidence that Graham felt overwhelmed.

'I am sure that Graham killed Maureen unlawfully and intended to kill her.

'Maureen was found deceased on June 15, 2015 and was deliberately shot in the head.

'I have considered the evidence and I have come to conclusion that Graham shot himself with the intention of taking his own life on June 15.

'I offer my sincere condolences for the family and the friends of the deceased.'