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Michael Parry had 'no regrets' over killing wife with dementia Michael Parry 'could not cope' with wife Meryl's dementia
(about 4 hours later)
A man struggling to care for his wife, who had dementia, killed her and then himself after being charged with murder, an inquest has heard. A man who killed his wife, who had dementia, and then himself, could no longer cope with the stress of caring for her, a doctor has told an inquest.
Former teacher Meryl Parry, 80, was found in bed with a pillow over her face at the Cumbrian home she shared with husband Michael, 81, in September. Former teacher Meryl Parry, 80, was found in bed with a pillow over her face at the Cumbrian home she shared with husband Michael, 81, in September
The inquest heard Mr Parry had become desperate after failing to find suitable respite care for his wife. Mr Parry was later found dead in the River Eden, two days before he was due in court charged with her murder.
He was found dead in the River Eden three months later while on bail. The couple's GP, Janice Royle, said he had grown "increasingly desperate".
The inquest heard Mr Parry was due to go into hospital for an operation and had failed to find suitable respite care for his wife.
Police and an ambulance were called to the couple's remote home in Ainstable, near Carlisle, on the evening of 2 September by Mr Parry.Police and an ambulance were called to the couple's remote home in Ainstable, near Carlisle, on the evening of 2 September by Mr Parry.
He was said to be subdued and upset.
His wife was found upstairs with a pillow covering her face and a plastic bag over her head.His wife was found upstairs with a pillow covering her face and a plastic bag over her head.
A post-mortem examination later revealed Mrs Parry died from asphyxia and had also been given a large dose of sleeping pills.. A post-mortem examination later revealed Mrs Parry died from asphyxia and had also been given a large dose of sleeping pills.
The inquest heard Mr Parry, a former university lecturer, spoke to police officers in his kitchen, telling them: "I'm amazed I could do it. I don't regret it. I definitely don't regret it." The former university lecturer told police officers: "I'm amazed I could do it. I don't regret it. I definitely don't regret it."
It later emerged he had also tried to take his own life the same night. He was found dead three months later while on bail.
The hearing was told Mr Parry was due to go into hospital for an operation and was trying to organise respite care for his wife. Dr Royle told the hearing Mrs Parry's deteriorating state of mind had placed "great pressure" on her husband, who had health worries of his own.
On the day before she died he arranged for her to go to a care home, but because she had wandered out, she was discharged and returned to him. She believed he had been acting in the best interests of his wife, but could no longer cope with the situation at home.
The couple's son, John Nicholas Parry, told the inquest: "It was devastating when this happened. It was a huge shock for me and for all the people who knew my parents.
"I think my father was a decent man who was trying to do his best to care for my mother and that was his main priority."
The inquest heard that on the day before Mrs Parry died her husband arranged for her to go to a care home, but because she had wandered out she was discharged and returned to him.
In evidence, Lorraine Rudd-Williams from Cumbria County Council, said the care home should have worked harder to accommodate Mrs Parry.In evidence, Lorraine Rudd-Williams from Cumbria County Council, said the care home should have worked harder to accommodate Mrs Parry.
Mr Parry was subsequently charged with his wife's murder and bailed. The inquest, is due to last four days.
Two days before he was due to make his first appearance at Carlisle Crown Court in December, his body was recovered from the River Eden between Kirkoswald and Little Salkeld.
The inquest, which is due to last four days, continues.