TWO women killed in an attack in a village died from head injuries, a coroner has been told.

Sandy Seagrave, 76, and 32-year-old teacher Amy Appleton were found dead outside a semi-detached house in a quiet street in Crawley Down on Sunday, December 22.

A 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was rushed to hospital in a “very unstable condition” but is no longer considered critical, police said.

Inquests into the deaths of the two women were opened at Centenary House in Crawley on Tuesday.

>> SEE THE LATEST ON THE MURDER HERE

Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield was told that post-mortem examinations at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill of Ms Seagrave and Ms Appleton showed cause of death as “head injury”.

Sussex Police has said it was not a knife attack and one of the victims was known to the suspect.

Ms Appleton, who taught at Copthorne Church of England Junior School, was confirmed dead outside her home in Hazel Way, the inquest heard.

Her identity was confirmed by her parents. Her family described her as “a rock” who “always thought of others before herself”.

The Argus:

Ms Seagrave’s family also paid tribute to her, saying: “She was one of a kind, an eccentric character who was stubbornly independent, feisty, brave and not afraid of anything.”

The condition of the 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder “continues to improve” and is no longer being classed as critical, Sussex Police said.

He has been transferred from the intensive treatment unit and is on a ward.

In respect of each victim, coroner Mrs Schofield said: “I am satisfied that she has died an unnatural death and therefore the matter needs to proceed to inquest.”

The inquests were adjourned until April 28 2020 to allow the police investigation to continue.