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Wife was killed by suicide husband
A pensioner stabbed his wife to death then threw himself off their block of flats because he was struggling to cope with her failing health.
George Blyth was preparing breakfast for 84-year-old Olive on his 86th birthday when he grabbed a kitchen knife and plunged it into her chest as she lay in bed.
Mr Blyth stabbed his wife of more than 60 years through the heart and once again in the chest.
She had suffered a series of health problems, including a broken hip, a skin condition and mobility problems which left her virtually housebound.
He then carried a step ladder from their fourth floor flat at Dalmore Court, in Bexhill, to the top of the building and used it to climb over safety rails before jumping sixth floors to his death.
The inquest, at Hastings Magistrates Court, was told that Mr Blyth had been feeling depressed about the failing health of his wife and had told his neighbour David McGarvey: "But for Olive, I would end it all now."
Resident David Starkey told the hearing he found Mr Blyth's body in the rear court of the block at about 9.20am on new year's day as he returned from the newsagents.
Recording a verdict of unlawful killing for Mrs Blyth and suicide for Mr Blyth, coroner Alan Craze said: "This is a very tragic and sad case."
Speaking after the hearing, the couple's great nephew David Young, paid tribute to the couple.
He said: "They had 60 happy years together."
6:42pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: melfromhove, hove on 9:41pm Wed 21 May 08
Another victim of our failing system. How very tragic.
Another victim of our failing system. How very tragic.
Posted by: Mum, Hove on 7:05am Thu 22 May 08
How very sad.. again let down by the system, were there no relatives to help?
RIP both of you xx
How very sad.. again let down by the system, were there no relatives to help?
RIP both of you xx
Posted by: Mr. Muffin, Brighton on 9:19am Thu 22 May 08
Well, I know that if I wasn't here to help my Mother, she'd be left to rot by the services.
RIP
Well, I know that if I wasn't here to help my Mother, she'd be left to rot by the services.
RIP
Posted by: jo, haywards heath on 10:34pm Thu 22 May 08
Let down by what system??? What silly comments. No services can make an elderly ill person fit and healthy like a 20 year old again. She was ill, he hated to see someone he loved so ill, so put them out of their misery. I can't see any reason to think the 'system' has failed them.
Let down by what system??? What silly comments. No services can make an elderly ill person fit and healthy like a 20 year old again. She was ill, he hated to see someone he loved so ill, so put them out of their misery. I can't see any reason to think the 'system' has failed them.
Posted by: James, Eastbourne on 10:54am Fri 23 May 08
This is a desperately sad story but I have to agree with Jo from Haywards Heath. We are all so quick to blame the 'services' or 'system' everytime something tragic like this happens. What exactly could they have done? No one could have been inside that Man's head or known what he would have done that day.
Its all so typical of this society today, everyone excpects the government or powers that be to take care of every aspect of their lives - whereas a friendly neighbour popping round every week could make all the difference to an elderly person or someone with a disability.
This is a desperately sad story but I have to agree with Jo from Haywards Heath. We are all so quick to blame the 'services' or 'system' everytime something tragic like this happens. What exactly could they have done? No one could have been inside that Man's head or known what he would have done that day.
Its all so typical of this society today, everyone excpects the government or powers that be to take care of every aspect of their lives - whereas a friendly neighbour popping round every week could make all the difference to an elderly person or someone with a disability.
Posted by: charles, Leicester on 4:46am Sat 24 May 08
For someone to get to that desperate state shows clearly and unequivocally that he needed support. Most people have no idea that they can get help from "the system" - but sometimes the system is slow to respond, or decides that someone is ineligible.
But whoever failed here, [italic]society[/italic] is the system - and it has let down yet another family.
And please - agree or don't, but let's treat people with a little more respect.
For someone to get to that desperate state shows clearly and unequivocally that he needed support. Most people have no idea that they can get help from "the system" - but sometimes the system is slow to respond, or decides that someone is ineligible.
But whoever failed here,
society is the system - and it has let down yet another family.
And please - agree or don't, but let's treat people with a little more respect.
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