A husband killed his wife before committing suicide in an Oxfordshire village after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, an inquest heard.
Zena Patricia Hoskins, 77, and David Michael Hoskins, 80, were found at their home address at Serendipity in Old Moor, Milton, near Didcot on September 15, 2025.
Married for over 50 years, he was a retired engineer, and she had twice been chair of the parish council and only recently stepped down to look after her husband.
At an inquest held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, June 10, it was ruled that Mrs Hoskins died from “unlawful killing” while Mr Hoskins died from “suicide”.
It was noted that there was no prior history of domestic abuse or violence, nor signs of any struggle or forced entry to the house.
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The toxicology reports were not deemed relevant however Mr Hoskins had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia in 2024, and it was said that this likely played a part in the tragedy.
Their family said that in the months prior to his death there had been further deterioration in his mental state and that his related memory loss and confusion had caused stress in the pair's relationship, including arguments over food.
They were last seen by their three grandsons who went around for dinner in the late afternoon on September 12.
After that several days passed in which there was no answer at the door when a delivery person called, and Mrs Hoskins did not respond to messages and calls from her daughter Alison Wood.
As such, Ms Wood went to Serendipity in the late afternoon on September 15 which was when she discovered her father in the garage.
The police were called and they found her mother in bed with multiple wounds to her head.
A note in the kitchen – signed by ‘D’ – asked for Min, their cat, to “be given a good home”.
In his conclusion, the coroner Mr Darren Michael Salter confirmed it was likely Mrs Hoskins was asleep when the blows were struck.
He said: “There were multiple blows, at least four with two hammers it seems. She was likely to have been knocked unconscious and would not have known what was happening.”
Mr Salter added that it was probable she was killed on September 12, considering she was in bed in her night clothes and that she had not taken her morning medication.
On Mr Hoskins, the coroner concluded it was a suicide by hanging and that it was likely to have occurred late on September 12 or early on September 13.
As well as wounds associated with his death, forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer, who appeared virtually at the inquest, noted there was a partial sharp force injury to his body that was likely inflicted by himself using a knife.
It was noted by Detective Inspector Alice Broad of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit that if Mr Hoskins had survived then he would have almost certainly faced a murder charge.
There were blood stains on his clothing and on two hammers discovered in a drawer.
However she added that he would have likely called for diminished responsibility given his dementia and that may have resulted in a manslaughter verdict instead.
“This was a tragic case and a very much unexpected event," Mr Salter said.
The Samaritans offer a 24/7 helpline, which can be reached for free from any phone on 116 123.
They can also be contacted via email at jo@samaritans.org or through the Samaritans website.
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Following their deaths last September, tributes were made including from Milton Parish Council.
Liz Cruse, parish clerk, said: "Zena and David were longstanding, popular figures within the Milton community.”
Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover, a member of the parish council, said: "Zena welcomed me onto the parish council in 2021 while she was the chair.
"She worked incredibly hard for Milton over many years, and was a true stalwart of the village."
