Mystery as married couple and their two dogs are found dead in Sheffield home, as inquest hears cause is unknown and ‘no evidence of murder or suicide pact’
- Amanda Ayres-Dunne, 49, and Barrie Dunne, 69, were found dead in their house
- Detectives have ruled out any third party involvement in the deaths in Sheffield
The cause of death of a married couple who were found dead in a house in Yorkshire along with their two dogs remains unknown, an inquest heard.
Amanda Ayres-Dunne, 49, and husband Barrie Dunne, 69, were found dead in the living room at their housing association property in Shiregreen, in Sheffield, on May 13 last year.
South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene after a neighbour raised concerns about smells coming from the property.
An inquest in Sheffield heard that detectives had ruled out any third party involvement in the couple’s deaths, while there was no evidence of a ‘suicide pact’.
The pathologist described the circumstances of the discovery as ‘very unusual’ and concluded that the couple had been dead for some time because their bodies were ‘significantly decomposed’.
An inquest heard that detectives had ruled out any third party involvement in the couple’s deaths, while there was no evidence of a ‘suicide pact’ (Pictured: Sheffield Coroner’s Court)
Detective Sergeant Helen Critchley of South Yorkshire Police told the hearing that a criminal investigation was launched but had ruled out any third party involvement in the deaths of the couple.
The officer said that when officers attended their property in Sicey Avenue the doors were locked and the curtains were closed. She said the bodies of Amanda and Barrie were found in the living room along with their two dogs.
The last person to hear from Barrie or Amanda was a man who spoke to his neighbour on the telephone on March 15, 2022.
A number of tests were carried out to try to determine what had caused the deaths of Barrie and Amanda but these proved inconclusive.
Checks on gas and electric meters showed that one was topped up on March 17, the other on March 10.
The gas went off on April 6 and the electric went off on April 11. The boiler was checked and no leaks were found and there was no evidence that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Det Sgt Critchley said neither cause of death could be ascertained but detectives had ruled out any third party involvement as there were no signs of disturbance at the property.
She said various theories had been considered, including murder/suicide, but no notes had been left, and there were no signs of a struggle.
The officer said there was no suggestion that the dogs had ‘fed on the deceased’ and it was thought that both Barrie and Amanda, and the dogs, had died around the same time.
There were no reports from neighbours of dogs barking. ‘We tend to believe all died around the same time,’ the officer told the court.
The inquest heard Barry had suffered from a number of conditions including depression, heart disease and epilepsy.
Forensic pathologist Dr Charles Wilson, who carried out post mortem examinations, described the circumstances of the discovery of the bodies of Barrie and Amanda as ‘very unusual’.
He said that because two people and two dogs had been found dead in the same room made him consider that ‘something in the environment’ may have led to all four deaths.
He said the state of decomposition had made it difficult to properly examine the bodies.
Dr Wilson added that it was not possible to determine when the couple had died, but it could have been ‘a week or two or even more.’
He said it was possible that one of the couple could have died two or three days after the other. He did not believe that the dogs had outlived the couple.
Dr Wilson concluded that the cause of death could not be ascertained in the case of both Barrie and Amanda.
Coroner Natalie James gave an ‘open’ conclusion and said it was not possible to say what had caused their deaths.
Following the conclusion, Amanda’s brother Paul described them as a ‘loving and happy couple’. Sister-in-law Maureen described them as a ‘cheerful’ couple whenever she had spoken to them on the phone.
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