An elderly couple who had been married for around 65 years left gifts and cards in their home for their family before being found dead together.

Ralph and June Harding, who were unwell and took their own lives, also left two letters on the kitchen table for family members.

The couple were both found dead in their Ford Fusion car in the garage at their home in Wentworths in Long Sutton on July 11.

A note was also left on the window of the car.

An inquest into their deaths heard that Mr Harding, 89, and Mrs Harding had spoken about taking their own lives in the past.

They were found by their grandson-in-law Sam Letteri who had arranged to visit the couple to help them move some furniture.

When he arrived at the bungalow, he found the door unlocked.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Mr Letteri said: “I knocked on the door and there was no answer and the door was unlocked, which was unusual."

He went inside and found them, he said.

Mr Letteri was followed in by father-in-law David Enfield who called an ambulance.

There were masks on the table and the smoke alarm had been taped up in the hallway.

PC Dean Burden said he had been called to a 'chemical suicide'.

He said in a statement: “When I arrived at around 11.53am there were two ambulances and a fire engine and the road had been closed off.

"There were letters on the kitchen side and masks had been left by the couple for the people to use who found them.

“In a guest bedroom there were gifts and letters including one with a ring on.

“There was also a note on the car."

Marianne Johnson, assistant coroner for South Lincolnshire, said the couple had both been unwell with ‘natural diseases’ and had planned to take their own lives together.

She said: “They had talked about taking their own lives. They were proud people.

“They were both pronounced dead by the ambulance crew. I have read the letters and notes and it's clear from the contents that they intended to take their own lives.”

She gave a verdict of suicide.

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