7:33am Friday 24th November 2006
An elderly man who killed his wife in their Borehamwood home two weeks ago has died after taking an overdose.
Reginald Dickinson, 78, is believed to have used a hammer to kill his 75-year-old wife Rita Dickinson who had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease following a stroke last year.
The couple's son called at their home, in Whitehouse Avenue, on November 8 where he discovered his mother, suffering from head injuries, and his critically ill father.
Mrs Dickinson was taken to Barnet Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her husband was taken to Watford General Hospital where he died last Friday.
The post mortem discovered that as well as the paracetamol overdose, Mr Dickinson had contracted pneumonia, both of which were found to be the causes of his death.
A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman confirmed this week that Mr Dickinson was arrested on suspicion of murder on the day of the incident but the investigation was halted when his health deteriorated.
Neighbours in Whitehouse Avenue were shocked and saddened to hear of their deaths as they were a well known couple in the area. Flowers and messages of condolence line the porch of the couple's bungalow.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "He was a well known person in the area. They were a lovely couple and I never had a bad word with them. It is so sad that it has happened to such a nice couple.
"You just don't know what goes on behind closed doors."
Another neighbour, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We knew him as Reg. It is very sad and I think the general feeling of the neighbours will be the same as us. It was a very stressful situation for him.
"Since she has been more or less housebound because of the Alzheimer's, we haven't spoken to her.
"He was a very pleasant, friendly man who all the neighbours knew. We have been neighbours for 35 years and he was always chatting to everyone."
Mr Dickinson had been his wife's full-time carer since she suffered a stroke last year.
A joint inquest into their deaths is expected to be opened early next year.
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