THE couple who killed their helpless son in “a final act of love” spent their last years as doting grandparents to children born after the death, which left them gripped by loss and guilt.

The bodies of Raymond and Margaret Sutton were found by police at their ­Western Sydney home late on Saturday morning, several years after a court heard how both had suffered from ­depression through the “unrelenting demands” placed on them in caring for severely disabled son Matthew, 28.

media_camera Margaret Ellen Sutton and Raymond Sutton leaving the NSW Supreme Court, Sydney, in 2007.

Relatives yesterday asked for their “sweet souls” to be remembered, with police not searching for a suspect in the deaths of the pair, both aged in their 70s.

They have a surviving son, Greg — now a father himself.

“After having Matthew their lives were sent into a spin,” daughter-in-law Natasha Sutton wrote on Facebook. “They had to come to terms with his severe disabilities and their feelings of hopelessness at dealing with an endless series of horrific homes. Then Matthew was due to have surgery on his ear. He was already blind and partially deaf, the thought of their music-loving son losing his remaining hearing was too much for Ray and Marg so they mercifully took his life.”

media_camera Police found the couple inside their home on Pleasant Pl, Leonay, just after 11am after concerns were raised. Picture: Mitch Cameron

In 2012, the couple ­completed the five-year good behaviour bonds handed to them by the Supreme Court for Matthew’s manslaughter, but torment over his death by their hands lingered.

The couple were a devoted “Nanny and Poppy” to their two granddaughters, and were supposed to be at a birthday party for one of them on Saturday. Relatives became concerned when the landline at the home at Pleasant Place, Leonay, was unreachable.

“Ray and Marg were great parents to Greg and loved their granddaughters with all their hearts,” Mrs Sutton wrote.

“The time had come in their lives where all the pain and guilt and years of suffering deep depression had caught up with them ...

‘‘If you have seen the news and you know them or know of them through me take a moment to remember the sweet souls of Ray and Margaret Sutton.” The ­couple’s family denied a ­suggestion the bodies may have been inside the house for up to two weeks, saying yesterday the birthday party arrangements had been made in recent days.

Neighbour Brenda Turner said it was a tragic end to a multi-generational family tragedy.

“They kept pretty much to themselves. It’s pretty sad ­really. You have neighbours and they look like they have it all together and everything’s in control but they are suffering greatly. It’s sad,” Ms Turner said.

“...released Matthew from this world [with] the act that killed him”. Sub-type: comment CAPTION: “...released Matthew from this world [with] the act that killed him”.

Medical evidence given in the case said the pair had “an understanding in the past about suicide”.

Their treating psychiatrist told the court “the risk of suicide is still present”.

Police began an investigation into Matthew’s death and targeted Mr and Mrs Sutton with listening devices.

Mrs Sutton was captured telling Mr ­Sutton: “I hate all this lying, ­especially with my memory.” and: “Everybody knows you’re lying”.

media_camera 1885 - Police in the street following the discovery of the bodies of Ray and Margaret Sutton. Picture: Mitch Cameron

Tragic end to difficult lives Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Tragic end to difficult lives Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Tragic end to difficult lives

Mr Sutton replied: “Everyone’s going through the process, Margaret. That’s all. It’s because there is no euthanasia.”

Two days later, Mrs Sutton was captured saying: “Long after the police have finished with us we will have to live with it anyway”.

On the second day of a 2005 inquest, Mrs Sutton arranged to confess.

A friend of the family told The Sunday Telegraph that the couple had become more and more withdrawn in the years since the court verdict.

The man, who asked not be named, said he bought the Suttons’ original home, just minutes from Pleasant Place, from them several years ago.

“This was the house where they looked after Matthew and where he died,” the family friend said.

For support and information about suicide prevention, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Originally published as Tragic end for couple who killed ‘out of love’