Affair claim was ‘catalyst’ for murder and suicide

A FATHER-OF-FOUR murdered his wife then killed himself weeks after an anonymous note alluding to his wife having had an affair was delivered to the family home, an inquest has heard.

Richard Pitkin, 65, fatally stabbed his wife Sarah, 58, in the neck then took his own life at the home they shared in Stowmarket, Suffolk, the inquest in

Ipswich heard.

The couple had been married for 37 years and moved from London in 2006.

Part of their home was converted into a tea room, which was run by Mrs Pitkin from 2009 until around four years ago. Coroner Dr Peter Dean concluded that Mrs Pitkin, a charity shop worker, was killed unlawfully and that the death of Mr Pitkin, a carpenter, was suicide.

Their bodies were found on Feb 26. Det Supt David Cutler told the inquest: “The arrival of an anonymous letter appears to have been the catalyst for the rapid deterioration of the relationship.”