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Husband held over 'suicide pact' Husband held over 'suicide pact'
(40 minutes later)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of his wife's murder after he survived a suicide pact between the pair, their daughters said.A man has been arrested on suspicion of his wife's murder after he survived a suicide pact between the pair, their daughters said.
Terminal cancer sufferer Dr William Stanton, 79, and wife Angela, 74, his carer, decided to die together after 52 years of marriage. Terminal cancer patient Dr William Stanton, 79, and his wife and carer Angela, 74, decided to die together after 52 years of marriage.
Mrs Stanton's body was found at their home in Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset.Mrs Stanton's body was found at their home in Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset.
She had been suffocated. Dr Stanton, a former geologist, has been released on police bail until November.She had been suffocated. Dr Stanton, a former geologist, has been released on police bail until November.
They had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to live separate, lonely existences Daughters Susan and Jennifer
Mrs Stanton's body was discovered on 29 September.Mrs Stanton's body was discovered on 29 September.
They had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to live separate, lonely existences Daughters Susan and Jennifer
Her husband is currently being looked after by the couple's daughters, who said the strain of caring for their extremely disabled father had been too much for their mother to bear.Her husband is currently being looked after by the couple's daughters, who said the strain of caring for their extremely disabled father had been too much for their mother to bear.
In a statement, Susan, 44, and Jennifer, 48, said: "Angela Mary Stanton died suddenly at 7am on Tuesday September 29. In a statement, Susan, 44, and Jennifer, 48, said: "Angela Mary Stanton died suddenly at 7am on Tuesday 29 September.
"Her husband, William Iredale Stanton, is severely disabled and the strain of caring for him had become excessive."Her husband, William Iredale Stanton, is severely disabled and the strain of caring for him had become excessive.
"They had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to live separate, lonely existences, as their parents did, so decided to commit suicide together.""They had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to live separate, lonely existences, as their parents did, so decided to commit suicide together."
Found in bedroomFound in bedroom
Dr Stanton, an atheist, is an expert geologist on the Mendip Hills, its caves and underground water systems.Dr Stanton, an atheist, is an expert geologist on the Mendip Hills, its caves and underground water systems.
He has also been a trustee of Somerset Wildlife Trust.He has also been a trustee of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The body of an elderly woman was found in her home in Westbury-sub-Mendip at 8.30am after someone visiting the address discovered her dead in her bedroom.A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The body of an elderly woman was found in her home in Westbury-sub-Mendip at 8.30am after someone visiting the address discovered her dead in her bedroom.
"A man aged 79 was arrested on suspicion of her murder at the address and taken into custody."A man aged 79 was arrested on suspicion of her murder at the address and taken into custody.
"A post-mortem examination was held last Wednesday that showed that she died from suffocation."A post-mortem examination was held last Wednesday that showed that she died from suffocation.
"The man has been released on police bail.""The man has been released on police bail."