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Shotgun death inquest: Ex-partner was shot in head twice | Shotgun death inquest: Ex-partner was shot in head twice |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A retired police officer lured his former partner to his house before shooting her twice in the head and then shooting himself, an inquest heard. | A retired police officer lured his former partner to his house before shooting her twice in the head and then shooting himself, an inquest heard. |
Bill Dowling, 59, and Victoria Rose, 58, were discovered with gunshot wounds in the porch of his home in Devizes, Wiltshire, on 2 March last year. | |
Salisbury Coroner's Court heard neighbours discovered the bodies. | Salisbury Coroner's Court heard neighbours discovered the bodies. |
Wiltshire coroner David Ridley ruled Mr Dowling took his own life, with Mrs Rose killed unlawfully. | Wiltshire coroner David Ridley ruled Mr Dowling took his own life, with Mrs Rose killed unlawfully. |
The inquest was told Mr Dowling called Mrs Rose at her home and asked her to visit as he was coughing up blood. | The inquest was told Mr Dowling called Mrs Rose at her home and asked her to visit as he was coughing up blood. |
"Essentially, Victoria was lured to the property that morning on the pretence of bogus medical complaints," said Mr Ridley. | "Essentially, Victoria was lured to the property that morning on the pretence of bogus medical complaints," said Mr Ridley. |
Mr Dowling had also drafted three messages in his mobile phone - two to Mrs Rose and one to another friend. | Mr Dowling had also drafted three messages in his mobile phone - two to Mrs Rose and one to another friend. |
Each read: "Tablets driving me mad. Can't go on. Please tell boys to forgive me. Tell police I'm in rear garden. Much love xxx" | Each read: "Tablets driving me mad. Can't go on. Please tell boys to forgive me. Tell police I'm in rear garden. Much love xxx" |
Firearms licence | Firearms licence |
"On entering the house, she was confronted by her ex-partner holding a shotgun. | "On entering the house, she was confronted by her ex-partner holding a shotgun. |
"She turned and was shot twice within the porch of the property, once at close range. Her injuries were not compatible with life," Mr Ridley said. | "She turned and was shot twice within the porch of the property, once at close range. Her injuries were not compatible with life," Mr Ridley said. |
The inquest heard Mr Dowling then shot himself in the head using the same weapon. | The inquest heard Mr Dowling then shot himself in the head using the same weapon. |
He had recently been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and had been prescribed medication. | He had recently been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and had been prescribed medication. |
"The examination after death revealed that Bill had not been taking the medication prescribed," said Mr Ridley. | "The examination after death revealed that Bill had not been taking the medication prescribed," said Mr Ridley. |
The coroner said he intends to put together a report, under Rule 28 of the The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, urging changes to gun licensing guidelines. | The coroner said he intends to put together a report, under Rule 28 of the The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, urging changes to gun licensing guidelines. |
He said authorities should consider a pilot scheme - currently operating in Wiltshire - which was initiated by Mrs Rose's sons Mathew and Jonathan after her death. | He said authorities should consider a pilot scheme - currently operating in Wiltshire - which was initiated by Mrs Rose's sons Mathew and Jonathan after her death. |
In it, doctors surgeries are informed of a patient's application for a firearms licence, or that they currently hold one. | In it, doctors surgeries are informed of a patient's application for a firearms licence, or that they currently hold one. |
The surgery is asked to provide information about the patient's history and encouraged to contact authorities if conditions that might affect their ability to safely carry guns arises. | The surgery is asked to provide information about the patient's history and encouraged to contact authorities if conditions that might affect their ability to safely carry guns arises. |
If such a concern is raised, firearms and ammunition can be immediately confiscated - potentially "preventing future deaths", the inquest heard. | If such a concern is raised, firearms and ammunition can be immediately confiscated - potentially "preventing future deaths", the inquest heard. |
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