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| Care home shooting: husband of victim charged with murder | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An 86-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his wife, who was shot dead in a care home in Essex. Rita King, 81, who had dementia, was killed at De La Mer House in the Essex seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze on Monday. | |
| A spokesman for Essex police said: “Detectives have charged a man with the murder of Rita King at De La Mer House care home in Naze Park Road, Walton, on Monday December 28. Ronald King, aged 86, of Cedar Close, Walton, has been remanded in custody to appear before Chelmsford magistrates court on Wednesday December 30.” | |
| The Kings’ former neighbour Stella Bone, 78, painted a picture of a very close couple who were both struggling with increasing frailties and ill health. She said: “They seemed like a nice couple, but they went down in health. I remember once that he fell down and his wife was waving from the window. I went across and got an ambulance for him. | |
| “I left my name and address, but I could see from what she was saying to me that she was suffering from some form of dementia then. They both did suffer from illnesses. Poor chap, he could hardly walk himself in the end and they were getting taxis to go to the shops or getting deliveries made.” | “I left my name and address, but I could see from what she was saying to me that she was suffering from some form of dementia then. They both did suffer from illnesses. Poor chap, he could hardly walk himself in the end and they were getting taxis to go to the shops or getting deliveries made.” |
| Bone added: “Dementia is a very hard thing. I worked in a home for 10 years. Anyone that does not sympathise with anyone who copes with the effects dementia has not yet experienced it in life themselves.” | Bone added: “Dementia is a very hard thing. I worked in a home for 10 years. Anyone that does not sympathise with anyone who copes with the effects dementia has not yet experienced it in life themselves.” |
| It is believed that the weapon used in the shooting, which occurred just before 9am on Monday, was a 1934 Enfield revolver. Julie Curtis, the manager of the care home, reported that the gunman mumbled, “She has had enough” before pulling the trigger. | |
| The Kings, who used to live in Ilford, north-east London, moved to Walton-on-the Naze in recent years. After living in a bungalow in the town, Rita King then moved into the care home about six months ago, according to reports. Her husband is said to have checked himself in for a week over Christmas. | The Kings, who used to live in Ilford, north-east London, moved to Walton-on-the Naze in recent years. After living in a bungalow in the town, Rita King then moved into the care home about six months ago, according to reports. Her husband is said to have checked himself in for a week over Christmas. |