A MARRIED couple whose bodies were found at a home in Chepstow last week died from stab wounds, an inquest heard yesterday.

Former town pub landlord Nigel Henderson, 52, and Stacey Anne Henderson, 35, were found dead at their home in Ruffets Close at 11.52am on Friday, June 19.

Detectives are treating the death of Mrs Henderson, a barmaid at The Huntsman Hotel in nearby Shirenewton, as “suspicious”, but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at the cul-de-sac house near Chepstow Hospital The death of her husband, who used to run the town’s Jimmy Deans pub, is not being treated as suspicious.

Previously police described the deaths as “unexplained”, but are now looking at whether foul play could have been involved in the death of Mrs Henderson, who would have been 36 on Wednesday.

Newport Coroner’s Court heard yesterday that emergency services were called to the property, and forced entry into the premises.

Post-mortems conducted by Dr Richard Jones at Royal Gwent Hospital found that the provisional cause of death for Mr Henderson was 'stab wounds to the trunk including the heart'. For Mrs Henderson it was determined as ‘stab wounds to the chest including the heart'.

Mr Lewis asked that the inquest be adjourned for three months to allow further enquiries to take place, and that the bodies be released for funerals to take place.

Assistant Coroner Wendy James said she was satisfied with the identification of both Mr and Mrs Henderson, adjourned the inquests for three month and allowed the bodies to be released for funerals to take place.

The families of those involved are being supported by officers.

Both families released tributes earlier this week.

Mr Henderson's family said in a tribute: “Family and friends of Nigel Mark Henderson were distraught on learning of his untimely death. A long term sufferer of chronic illness, the 52-year-old’s cause of death has yet to be ascertained.

“Nigel will be sorely missed by his children, his sister, two brothers and all his friends in Chepstow and his hometown of Bristol.”

The family of Stacey Anne Henderson, who would have turned 36 on Wednesday, said: “Taken from this life too early, our wonderful and much loved daughter. It is beyond belief and she will be forever in our hearts.”

She worked at The Huntsman Hotel in Shirenewton and its owner Phil Moles told the Argus: “All we can say is that we are absolutely shocked. All our thoughts are with her family.”

Colleagues left a bunch of flowers outside the Hendersons’ home. A message on its wrapping read: “Stacey, Love you like a tramp on chips. Miss you lots + lots, love always from your work family at The Huntsman xxxxxxxx [sic]”

Last Monday she posted a picture on her Facebook page, which read: "Trust yourself. You've survived a lot, and you'll survive whatever is coming."

Neighbours told the Argus that the couple had “kept themselves to themselves” since they moved into the cul-de-sac a couple of months ago.

At the house on Sunday a wooden board had been installed in place of a door and broken glass lay outside.

Cllr David Dovey who represents the ward on Monmouthshire council said the area remained calm at the weekend despite the nature of the incident.