POLICE are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a popular couple who were found with fatal gunshots at their village home.
West Mercia Police say they are confident no one else was involved in the shootings of John and Anne Knott whose bodies were found at their home in Pow Green, between Bosbury and Cradley.
They are treating the deaths as a murder-suicide or double suicide.
Today a photograph ahs emerged of Mr Knott, aged 71, whose registered shotgun was found at the couple's home in Pow Green, between Bosbury and Cradley.
Both he and his 70-year-old wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, were found by police following a call from concerned relatives on Monday morning. The couple had not been seen since around noon on Saturday.
Yesterday a statement from West Mercia Police said post mortems had found the couple each died of a single shotgun wound.
The investigation team has now finished its work and are working on a report for the Coroner for Herefordshire on their findings.
They are awaiting the results of a number of reports, including ballistics, forensics and toxicology reports.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Tim Powell, from Herefordshire CID, said: “We confirmed yesterday that at this time there is no evidence of any third-party involvement and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings.
“That continues to be our position and unless there are any significant developments in our investigation, we anticipate the circumstances of this tragic incident will be dealt with at a coroner’s inquest. We do not expect there to be any criminal proceedings in this case.
“We continue to work with the family at this very distressing time and they are our main priority. We hope our work can provide them with some answers to what has taken place.”
As news of their deaths spread, villagers paid warm tributes to the couple who moved to their 300-year-old cottage from Droitwich several years ago and had quickly become very active in village life.
As reported in yesterday's Worcester News some friends and neighbours have speculated that Mr Knott's death may be linked to a recent application for a traveller settlement next to his home.
The retired company director had opposed the application and was said to be quite stressed about the situation.
Peter Hodgkiss, who owns The Butchery in Cradley said they were a 'lovely couple, who appeared to be very happy.
"His wife had Alzheimer's and he was fighting the gypsies near his house and it must have been too much for him," he said.
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