Farmer shot himself because he could not live without wife
A FARMER and property magnate who lost a multi-million pound fortune in a foreign deal killed himself when he realised his marriage to his wife of 25 years was over.
An inquest heard that Charles Cole shot himself when he believed he was going to lose his wife, children and family manor house. The combination was “catastrophic” for the 50-year-old, who went into the orchard at his home and shot himself.
A coroner said yesterday that Mr Cole left detailed diaries on his computer in which he made it clear how much he loved his family and “adored his wife Iona” and that he could not live without her. His widow brushed away tears as she listened to the evidence at the inquest in Exeter, Devon.
The inquest heard that several years ago Mr Cole got involved in a property development in Romania. He borrowed millions to invest but ended up “virtually penniless”. The strain led to marital pressures, a friend said.
His wife had left the couple’s 214- acre estate home at Upcott Barton, at Poughill, Devon, nine days before Mr Cole died last September.
Mr Cole’s son Hedley told the inquest his parents were “married for life” and if they got divorced his father would lose the home he adored. He said that a phone call between his father and a friend the night before his death had confirmed the marriage was over and, Hedley said, “That meant Dad was losing everything.” On the day of his death, Mr Cole gave his son and daughters money to go out for lunch. They returned to find he had shot himself.
The coroner ruled Mr Cole committed suicide.