Dead husband was shot in the head

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A man found dead with his wife at their Flintshire home died from a shotgun wound to his head, a post mortem examination has shown.

North East Wales coroner John Hughes has opened an inquest on Paul and Jean Laithwaite, but the cause of her death is unknown, pending further tests.

The inquest has been adjourned.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of the "very well respected" Sealand couple, who were in their sixties.

Their bodies were found at their luxury rural home in Sealand, Deeside, late on Sunday.

Post mortem examinations were carried out in Liverpool.

They did not attend their normal church service last Sunday and I would like to appeal to anyone who saw or spoke to them on that day to contact us. Det Supt John Chapman, North Wales Police

Police want anyone who saw or spoke to the Laithwaites on Sunday to contact them.

The couple, who were partners with their sons in a number of businesses, did not attend the local parish church as normal on Sunday.

Friends and neighbours who have been paying tribute to the couple said they were active in the church community.

The couple had links with a number of businesses in Flintshire, Cheshire and Manchester.

Mr Laithwaite was believed to have been a director of a vehicle accessory firm called Deefab based on the nearby Deeside industrial estate.

Det Supt John Chapman, leading the investigation, said: "We know that they were a close couple and family. They did not attend their normal church service last Sunday and I would like to appeal to anyone who saw or spoke to them on that day to contact us.

"We have been working closely with the family and specially trained officers are dedicated to that liaison role.

"Clearly this is a very distressing time for them and I would repeat their request, which was made on Monday, for their right to privacy to be respected."

Det Supt Chapman added: "I can say that at this stage I am not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."

Local residents said the Laithwaites had lived in the area for "many years".

Councillor Christine Jones told BBC Radio Wales: "I've met them on many occasionally socially, they were a very nice couple, very well respected.

"They kept themselves to themselves and had three lovely sons. Everyone in the community is in such shock at what happened."

The family said in a statement issued via police: "This is an extremely difficult time and we would like to extend our thanks to all for the sympathy and support we have received."