A father-of-four murdered his wife then killed himself weeks after an anonymous note alluding to his wife having an affair was delivered through the family door, an inquest heard.

Richard Pitkin, 65, fatally stabbed his wife Sarah, 58, in the neck then took his own life at the home they shared in Stowupland Street, Stowmarket, Suffolk, an inquest in Ipswich heard.

They had been married for 37 years and had four children together.

Suffolk's senior coroner Dr Peter Dean concluded that charity shop deputy manager Mrs Pitkin was killed unlawfully and carpenter Mr Pitkin's death was suicide.

The couple's bodies were found in a bedroom on February 26 this year after their son found a note on the door, which was barricaded shut, and called police.

Detective Superintendent David Cutler told the inquest: "In late January an anonymous note was delivered through the family door alluding to Sarah having an affair with a local male. Following receipt of the note she decided to go and live with her mother."