Woman killed by husband with dementia, inquest hears

A man who had Alzheimer's disease killed his wife before taking his own life, an inquest heard.

Zena Hoskins, 77, was found dead in bed at their home in Milton, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire on 15 September, having sustained traumatic head injuries. David Hoskins, 80, was found dead in the property's garage.

An inquest held into their deaths heard that David had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2024 but had no history of violence. His cognition had declined prior to his death which had put a strain on their relationship, the inquest heard.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter described it as a "tragic case", concluding that Zena died by unlawful killing and David died by suicide.

Warning: Some people might find some details in this report distressing.

The inquest heard that Zena, who had been twice chair of Milton Parish Council and had only recently retired, was found in bed with "significant head injuries", including a "complex fracture".

The inquest heard that there were no signs of forced entry into the house.

Forensic pathaologist Dr Brett Lockyer said Zena sustained at least four blows to her head, with "no evidence she put up a fight".

Lockyer said it was likely that she was unconscious from the first blow and would not have known about the subsequent blows.

"The way in which she was found in bed suggests she received the injuries while she was sleeping," he added.

The couple had not been seen or heard from since 12 September after their grandchildren had visited for dinner.

In his conclusion, Salter concluded that it was likely the couple died later that day, or in the early hours of 13 September, because Zena had not taken her medication that morning, which she was normally "stringent" about.

David, a retired engineer, had been taking donepezil to slow the progression of his dementia symptoms. He was also taking sertraline and had taken codeine prior to his death, the inquest heard.

A GP's report read out to the court said that there was "nothing about the combination of drugs that would cause me any concern".

In 2022 David had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, followed by a diagnosis of unspecified dementia in 2024.

He was then diagnosed with Alzehiemer's disease in May 2024.

The GP's report added that Zena had "never mentioned or alluded to domestic abuse".

The inquest heard that the couple had been married for about 55 years, with one family member describing them as "happily married".

Their grandson, Michael, said in a statement read out in court that Zena was getting "more tired" caring for David and that his cognitive deterioration had led to arguments, including about food.

However he added that there were "no signs of anything going on between them".

David was found by his daughter, Alison, who had been unable to contact her parents since 12 September.

Two hammers believed to have been used to attack Zena were seized from the garage in which David was found.

Thames Valley Police investigating officer Sophie Lovelock said had David not taken his own life, the case would have become a murder investigation.

Had it gone to court, a defence of diminished responsibility would have "more than likely" been available to David, which may have resulted in a manslaughter verdict, the inquest heard.

Concluding the inquest, Salter said it was a "tragic and very much unexpected event".

In September Milton Parish Council said it was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the deaths, describing the couple as "longstanding, popular figures within the Milton community".

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