A woman was found stabbed to death at her home just hours after her husband plunged 100ft from a car park, an inquest heard today.
Kerry Bradford, 57, was found dead at her home in Monnow Way in Bettws, Newport, Wales, by police with ‘multiple stab wounds to the neck’ on April 25.
About 90 minutes earlier, officers had been called to the Kingsway multi-storey car park in Newport, Gwent, which lies just three miles away, following reports that a man had fallen.
The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was later identified as Mrs Bradford’s 57-year-old husband Nicholas Bradford.
His death was not treated as suspicious although Gwent Police described the incidents as linked.
Kerry Bradford, 57, and her husband Nicholas, also 57, both died in Newport, Wales, on April 25
After finding Mr Bradford, police liaison officers visited the Bradford’s home in Monnow Way, to inform Mrs Bradford of her husband’s death.
However when officers did not receive a response from Mrs Bradford they smashed their way into the detached property, where the couple had lived since 2006.
At Newport Coroners’ Court on Tuesday, senior coroner for Gwent Caroline Saunders said officers found Mrs Bradford, who worked as a store assistant at Tesco, lying in the living room with ‘multiple stab wounds to the neck’.
Ms Saunders described it as a ‘violent death’ which was still under investigation, adding that the deceased was identified from a photograph provided to officers by her family.
Mr Bradford’s post-mortem examination revealed that he died from severe head injuries sustained from his fall. He was also identified from a family photo.
The hearing into both deaths, which might be conducted as a joint inquest, was adjourned until May 24, 2022.
Following the horrific killing, neighbour Hilda Frisell, 78, said: ‘I don’t know what would possess someone to do such an awful thing.
‘They were well liked in the street and would always say hello when I was passing.
‘They have children and grandchildren, it’s terrible for them, they’ve lost their mum and dad and their grandparents.
‘We’ve all been through bad times at the moment but for something like this to happen it’s just dreadful.’
A spokesman for Gwent Police said at the time: ‘Officers are continuing to carry out enquiries in the Bettws area of Newport following the death of a woman.
’57-year-old Kerry Bradford was found deceased at an address in Monnow Way at about 6.15pm on Sunday, April 25.
‘The death is being treated as suspicious, specialist officers are continuing to support the family and our thoughts remain with them.
Mrs Bradford was found dead at her home in Monnow Way in Bettws, Newport, Wales, after her husband fell from the Kingsway multi-storey car park in Newport, Gwent
Officers smashed their way into the detached property, where the couple had lived since 2006, to find Mrs Bradford lying in the living room with ‘multiple stab wounds to the neck’. Pictured: Police outside the home
‘At this time we are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death, which is being linked to another death on Sunday afternoon.
‘At around 4.40pm we also had a call reporting that a man had fallen from the Kingsway car park in Newport city centre.
‘The man was confirmed dead at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
‘We’d like to thank the local community for their continued support as officers carry out enquiries in the local area.’
Speaking after the tragedy, Councillor Janet Cleverly said: ‘It is devastating news. My thoughts go out to those involved.
‘It has come as a shock to the whole community. It’s just awful news and my thoughts and sympathies are with those left behind.’