A retired dentist suffocated his wife before killing himself because he could not bear to be separated from her, an inquest heard today.

Thomas Hughes, 81, was found dead in the bath at his home in Abergavenny by his daughter-in-law, Newport Coroners Court was told.

His 86-year-old wife Nancie, who had worked alongside him as his receptionist, was lying in their bed under a duvet with a pillow over her face.

A note written by Mr Hughes was found by son Trevor when he went to his parents' Frogmore Street home on May 11 this year after becoming concerned at being unable to contact them.

Gwent coroner David Bowen told the hearing the note said Mrs Hughes, who had rheumatoid arthritis, suffered a "cataclysmic mental event’’ on the night of her death.

He said: "Rather than allow her to face an uncertain future, Mr Hughes took his wife's life, and then his own, so that as in life, so in death, they would not be separated.’’ The couple were "fiercely independent’’ Mr Bowen said, but Mr Hughes realised his wife was becoming less mobile.

Mr Bowen said: "He was concerned over the problems that increasing old age might hold, and the particular impact that might have on their much-valued independence.’’ Father-of-two Mr Hughes had laid out money in another room of the house, and arranged his financial affairs, before taking his wife's life and then his own.

Trevor Hughes said his mother's hands had become "clubbed’’, that she could hardly pick things up and was having difficulty walking.

He told the inquest social services were assessing his mother's condition so their home could be adapted.

Trevor Hughes said he was concerned about his mother when he visited her on May 4, and that she showed signs of mental deterioration.

His father appeared to be "struggling’’ to manage, the inquest heard, and told his son: "If things continue in this vein, we may need to consider a home.’’ Trevor Hughes said: "That surprised me. It's the first time he had ever mentioned anything on that level before. They were very independent.’’ He dismissed speculation his parents were worried about being moved to separate homes, which was reported at the time of their deaths.

Post-mortem examinations revealed Mrs Hughes suffocated and that Mr Hughes had drowned.

Mr Bowen said the couple were "devoted to each other’’.

He added: "They not only worked together, but enjoyed the same leisure activities, such as walking and golf, and they were never happier than when in each other's company.’’ He said it was with "great regret’’ he had to record a verdict that Mrs Hughes was unlawfully killed, and that her husband killed himself.