Dog breeder John Zurick dies in hospital of injuries believed to be self-inflicted

This article is more than 6 months old

This article is more than 6 months old

A dog breeder suspected of having murdered his wife before shooting himself has died in hospital.

John Zurick, 67, was taken to hospital with severe shotgun injuries – believed to have been self-inflicted – following the incident on Saturday in Winsford, near the rural estate of the prime minister’s father.

His wife, Debbie Zurick, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered shotgun injuries and her death is being treated as murder. Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with her death.

Avon and Somerset police said Mr Zurick died on Thursday at a hospital in Devon.

Earlier this month, police had seized licensed weapons from the home of the couple – who were neighbours of Stanley Johnson – as part of a separate investigation. They said they were “satisfied” no firearms licensed to any of the occupants remained at the premises.

Police said a file of evidence would be prepared for the Somerset coroner, Tony Williams.

The Avon and Somerset force has referred itself to the police watchdog due to previous contact with those involved.

DCI Neil Rice said: “This is a tragic incident and detectives, investigators and crime scene specialists are working closely with local uniformed officers to examine the scene and reassure the local community.

“Dedicated liaison officers are also supporting family members and friends through this difficult time.

“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and our focus is now on supporting those affected by it, and completing our inquiries so we can provide a file of evidence to the coroner’s office for Somerset.”

Following Mrs Zurick’s death, Stanley Johnson said: “Both I and my whole family are shocked, stunned and saddened by this tragic incident.

“We very much regret the passing of Mrs Zurick. She was a neighbour and she was much loved. She was honorary secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society and was much loved for the work she did, in the society and in Exmoor and beyond.”

The Zuricks had been married for almost 30 years. They regularly attended game shoots and organised training days for spaniels and their owners at their home. In a now-deleted post on the website of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society, John Zurick described how he had trained a dog for Princess Anne.

A friend of the couple, who asked not to be named, claimed they had separated.

• This article and its headline were amended on 27 February 2020 to make it clearer that police believe the incident was a murder-suicide.