A HUSBAND shot his wife dead then killed himself in a murder-suicide on their isolated family farm, an inquest concluded.
Rachel Harrison, 54, was shot twice in the head and once in the chest by 59-year-old Richard Harrison.
Her body was discovered in the stable at the couple’s farm in Saddington, Leicestershire, on December 15, 2023.
They were both declared dead at the scene by a paramedic shortly before police arrived.
An inquest found Harrison shot Rachel using a legally-owned rifle.
The cattle buyer then shot himself in the head with the same weapon.
Leicestershire Area Coroner Ivan Cartwright said: “In shooting Mrs Harrison, her husband intended to kill or to cause her serious bodily harm.”
The court was told the relationship between the pair had been strained “for some years”.
However, it “broken down irretrievably” in the months leading up to their deaths.
Neighbours previously told of their “shock and sadness” following the horror.
One local said: “They were a lovely and decent couple and our hearts go out to their family.
“It is a terrible thing to happen, really shocking, and has upset so many of us at a time when we should all be looking forward to celebrating Christmas with loved ones.”
One member of the parish council, who asked not to be named, said Richard and Rachel were very much respected and that their deaths had rocked the farming town.
They added: “I know of them, they ran the local farm and they were liked and well respected by many.
“I think the whole village is quite devastated by it all.
“It’s a quiet village, but most people know each other and, although he kept himself to himself, he went down to the village pub quite often.”
