Former Canon and husbandfounddead

A FORMER Canon of Leicester Cathedral and her husband have been found dead in their Warwickshire home.

Mary Lawson, 63, who was also a former teacher, and her husband, Sean Lawson, 50, were discovered at around 2.45am on Sunday May 28.

Emergency services attended the scene but the couple were pronounced dead from their injuries.

One resident, living on nearby Crick Road, said: “I have a friend who lives on the close which backs on to their road and apparently there was quite a commotion in the early hours.

“There was police everywhere.

“It’s really concerning because in this sort of area nothing like this really happens.

“He was very well known for his work with the council and was a pillar of the community.

“It’s tragic because they seemed like a really nice couple.”

The Diocese of Leicester confirmed Mary had died over the Bank Holiday weekend and said she had suffered ill health since having a stroke in 2015.

Paying tribute a spokesman for the Diocese said: “Mary Lawson was director of education for the Diocese of Leicester between 2010 and 2014 and led the Diocesan Board of Education through many significant changes which impacted diocesan schools including the creation of the Multi Academy Trust, Diocese of Leicester Academies Trust.

“After leaving the diocese Mary became head of a primary school in Leicester but had recently suffered from ill health following a stroke in 2015.”

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow added: “Mary made a very significant contribution to the work of the church across the diocese.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news and my thoughts and prayers are with Mary and Sean’s colleagues, family and friends.”

Detective Inspector Matthew Pyatt, of Warwickshire Police, said: “We are not treating the incident as suspicious.

“The incident was contained to the property and we’re not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.”

He added: “The case will be handed over to the coroner.”