THE DECOMPOSED bodies of a couple have been found lying next to each other in bed at their home in Bishopstrow.

Wiltshire Police are waiting for the outcome of toxicology tests following the ‘shocking discovery’ of the bodies of Claudia Forbes, 62, and her husband Andrew, 74.

It is understood that police are investigating the death of Mr Forbes, who was thought to have been very ill.

The Wiltshire area coroner Ian Singleton opened an inquest on December 22 into Mrs Forbes’ death. She was believed to have been in good health.

The inquest was told the couple were found on December 7 at Horsepools Cottage which Mrs Forbes rented next to Eastleigh Farm at picturesque Bishopstrow near Warminster.

It is understood that she once worked as a customer services manager for the Longleat Estate.

She was found lying in bed with her husband and both bodies were said to have decomposed.

Wiltshire Police are waiting for toxicology test reports as part of their ongoing investigation into the couple’s deaths.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called by a member of public at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 December to a report of two sudden deaths at an address on Eastleigh Wood Lane, Bishopstrow.

"A 74-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were confirmed as deceased at the scene. Our investigation, including into the circumstances, is ongoing."

Mike Perry, chairman of Bishopstrow Parish Council, said: “It is shocking. We do not get things like this occurring within our village.

“Obviously this is very unusual. It is strange these people have been there for that amount of time and nobody in our village seems to know them. It is a tragic event.”

Police officers found the couple after their landlord, local farmer Alexander Walker, raised concerns about Mrs Forbes’ welfare. He said: “It was quite a shock.”

The luxury holiday property they rented at Eastleigh Farm, off Eastleigh Wood Lane, is understood to be located close to the parish boundary with Warminster.

The inquest at Salisbury was told that on December 7 police were called to the property at Bishopstrow by the landlord Alexander Walker over concerns for the welfare of Claudia Forbes.

A post mortem failed to find a cause of death and the coroner asked for toxicology and histology tests to be provided.

Mr Singleton adjourned the inquest on Mrs Forbes to a date to be fixed and police have launched an investigation into her husband’s death. 

The inquest was opened because there was evidence Mrs Forbes’ death may be unnatural.

An inquest into Mr Forbes’ death will only be held if it is unnatural.

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