Husband, 63, strangled, stabbed & bludgeoned wife to death with hammer before taking own life in horrific murder-suicide
A HUSBAND strangled, stabbed and bludgeoned his wife to death before taking his own life in a horrific murder suicide, an inquest heard.
Richard Parks, 63, and wife Suratchanee ‘Lat’ Parks, 53, were discovered inside their home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
An inquest heard how tree surgeon Parks had horror stab injuries to his neck and was found with a knife in his hand.
His nail bar worker wife was discovered in the bath with neck wounds consistent with being strangled, Kent Online reports.
Lat also had multiple knife injuries and had been bludgeoned with a hammer.
Pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow told the court she had other injuries that suggested she had tried to fight her husband off.
The court was told the pair had met in Thailand where Lat already had a son and later moved to the UK.
They had recently bought a home in Lat’s native country and were hoping to retire there soon.
The couple’s marriage was described as “happy and without problems” but Parks had recently become anxious after receiving a large tax bill from HMRC.
He had also been “struggling with his mental health” and was forced to delay the move to Thailand, it was said.
On February 23, loved ones had gone to the three-storey home after growing concerned for the couple’s welfare.
Neighbours heard “hysterical” screams after they discovered Parks and Lat dead inside.
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Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Police found blood stains in the kitchen, hallway, living room and on the stairs.
There was also a red folder on the floor that contained a large sum of cash, as well as a chainsaw and pruning saw in the bathroom.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Jessica Summers said police concluded there was no third party involvement.
Coroner Roger Hatch ruled that Lat was unlawfully killed and that her husband had taken his own life.
Parks’ brother Robert Parks said: “This is a terribly sad situation. Only those two will ever know exactly what happened.
“They loved each other very much and he was looking forward to going to Thailand – it’s just terribly sad for both families.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.