A PENSIONER took his own life to be with his partner two days after she died, an Oxford inquest heard.

John Reid from Faringdon hanged himself in his home on October 6 last year two days after his partner Julianna Wallace died in Somerset.

Ms Wallace had been suffering from cancer and died on October 4.

A statement read to the inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court said Mr Reid, 78, said he was glad Ms Wallace had passed away peacefully, and that he wished to go to sleep and never wake up because he wanted to be with her.

On Wednesday, Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter recorded a verdict that Mr Reid took his own life.

He said: “It is not practice to read out any notes left behind but they give instructions as to what should happen to his estate. They do make it quite clear that Mr Reid intended to take his own life. This is obviously a very sad case, not least because he lost his partner just days before.”

Mr Reid left notes for his son and to his partner’s children.