AN inquest heard a Malvern woman was strangled by her partner who later plunged to his death in Worcester.

Aaron Stewart faked a double suicide note purporting to be from his partner Sarah Fernandes- Mason, aged 39.

Her body was found at about 5.30pm on her bed at her home in Cooper Street on Friday, February 4.

Speaking at the coroner’s court in Stourport yesterday, Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said she had been strangled by her partner Aaron Stewart.

Stewart, aged 28, who shared the same address in Cooper Street, died from multiple injuries after falling from the CrownGate multistorey car park an hour before the discovery of Miss Fernandes-Mason’s body.

The court heard the suicide note was found on the bed along with a small knife, photographs of Stewart and some leather bracelets.

Following expert analysis the handwriting was found to be that of Stewart.

Speaking at the inquest Mr Williams said: “I am more than satisfied this woman was unlawfully killed.”

He said Stewart had “deliberately climbed over a wall and launched himself over the parapet” at CrownGate out of “nothing other than remorse for his actions.”

Dr Kenneth Shorrock, who conducted both postmortems, said it was not clear whether the pressure applied to Miss Fernandes- Mason’s neck was by hands or a ligature.

Miss Fernandes-Mason’s mother, Veronica Wheelwright, who lived with the couple and Sarah’s 16-yearold daughter Ayeisha Fernandes, described her daughter as “very caring” and someone who loved to travel and enjoyed her job as a nurse. She said she “seemed a bit stressed” in the week leading up to her death and said the couple had the “odd” argument.

Detective Inspector Jon Wallis, of West Mercia Police, said a neighbour had reported hearing a thudding noise and something banging against the wall for about an hour from about 10am.

The loft hatch was found open with a ladder in place as well as a dog lead, some webbing and the beginnings of a noose.

Speaking after the hearing he said: “This was a tragic case and from the outset Aaron Stewart wanted us to believe this was a double suicide.

“We are satisfied with the verdicts today following an extensive and thorough police investigation. I would like to thank the families for their co-operation and extend my sympathies to them for the loss of their loved ones.”

Mr Williams recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on Miss Fernandes-Mason and that Stewart killed himself.