A husband murdered his wife and then killed himself by crashing his car into a tree, police believe.

Officers found the blood-soaked body of 63-year-old Susan Goswell inside her home in West Chiltington Common, near Storrington.

They went to the house after her 66-year-old husband Roger Goswell drove his Smart car into a tree.

Officers from Sussex Police's road policing unit at Haywards Heath were called to the crash in Monkmead Lane in the village by paramedics at about 8.50pm on Sunday.

Police went to his house in nearby Silverwood to tell his wife about the crash at just before midnight.

They realised something was wrong because her car was in the drive but there was no answer at the front door.

When they forced their way inside they found her dead body, covered in blood.

Mr Goswell was taken to Worthing Hospital but died just before 1am on Monday.

He was too seriously injured to be interviewed by detectives before he died.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the crash was a suicide.

The couple's two daughters and one son left a floral tribute to their mother outside the house that read: "To a loving and devoted mother, love from all your children, we love you mum X."

Neighbours said the couple were on the verge of divorcing and had recently put their £700,000 house up for sale.

The childhood sweethearts had previously been the landlords of several pubs, including the Stonemasons Arms in Petworth and The Squire and Horse in Bury, near Arundel.

One neighbour, Dianna Dennis, said Susan had confided in her that they were having arguments, mainly about money, and that their marriage was on the rocks.

She said: "Sue came to my house about three weeks ago. She seemed very disturbed. She said she was very concerned about Roger and said they had been arguing a lot recently and not getting on very well.

"She said they were going to split up and that Roger was spending a lot of money on cars and other things and that they couldn't afford that kind of lifestyle.

"She said she couldn't stand it anymore. I was worried for her.

"I'm really shocked at what has happened. I can't believe it."

Specialist scenes of crime officers spent the morning at the house on Monday gathering forensic evidence.

A post mortem examination of Mr Goswell's body took place on Monday.

The examination of Mrs Goswell's body was carried out today but the results will not be released until tomorrow.

A Home Office pathologist carried out tests on the bodies to try to confirm how the Goswells died, including carrying out tests for alcohol and other substances in their bloodstreams.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert, of Sussex Police's major crime team, is leading the investigations into both deaths.

The couple's relatives were visited by police family liaison officers on Monday.

DCI Hibbert said: "It is a respectable house in a respectable neighbourhood.

"It is a tragic incident, particularly at this time of year."

Nigel Wolters, who lives in nearby Threal's Lane where Mr Goswell had once bought land for development, said he had used "battering ram tactics" to try and get residents to accept unpopular plans to put six houses on the site.

He said: "He dumped manure outside our homes and put pigs on the land when he didn't get planning permission from the council.

"He was a bully but this is a total shock.

"I feel sorry for the rest of the family and for his wife because she didn't deserve this.

"She was a very nice person and whatever she did, she did with a smile. She was a jolly lady.

"It's hard to imagine him capable of killing someone.

"Mentally, he did have a streak of vindictiveness about him.

"It's a shocking thing to happen."

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