Pictured: Pony Club wife and her cattle farmer husband who were found dead with gunshot wounds in ‘murder-suicide’ in sleepy Leicestershire village
- Richard Harrison, 59, and wife Rachel, 54, discovered at farm in Saddington
- Leicestershire police not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident
Published: 17:30, 19 December 2023 | Updated: 17:45, 19 December 2023
A small village is in shock after a cattle farmer and his wife were found dead with gunshot wounds.
Richard Harrison, 59, and wife Rachel, 54, were discovered at their farm[2] in the village of Saddington, Leicestershire on Friday.
A post-mortem examination has now been carried out and confirmed that both died from gunshot wounds.
Detectives from Leicestershire police said an investigation was ongoing but they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
The couple are thought to have two children together, while Mr Harrison also has children from a previous marriage.
They ran a cattle farm and delivered eggs locally.
Rachel Harrison, 54, (pictured) was found dead alongside her husband Richard, 59, at their farm in the village of Saddington, Leicestershire
The couple are thought to have two children together, while Mr Harrison (pictured) also has children from a previous marriage.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that both died from gunshot wounds
Mrs Harrison was district commissioner of her local branch of the Pony Club.
One neighbour said: ‘They were a lovely couple and a really nice family. We have no idea why this would have happened. It is like something from a horror film.
‘Rachel would deliver eggs to my house, and we would see Richard riding his horse and moving his sheep up the road.
It is a horrendous shock specially so close to Christmas.’
Friend Ros Smith said the couple ‘seemed so together’.
‘I am finding it all very shocking and hope their family are getting all the support they need,’ she said.
Police were called to the property in the village – home to just 300 – just before 11am on Friday 15 December by East Midlands Ambulance Service following a report of a man and a woman found dead.
Detective inspector David Greenhalgh, from the East Midlands special operations unit major crime team, said: ‘This is a deeply tragic incident and officers are continuing to support the family during this extremely difficult time.
‘We will continue to carry out enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident, but I can confirm we do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident and a file will be prepared for H.M.
Coroner.’
Facebook users paid tribute online.
Lee Sanderson. said: ‘Sad news about Richard Harrison from Saddington…just shows you never know what’s going on in someone’s head, thoughts are with the family.
Carol O’Neill said the Harrisons delivered their eggs. ‘Devastating news. ..what is going on in the world …cannot believe it.’
Simon Knight added: ‘Very sad to hear about this…rest in peace my friend.’
References
- ^ Claire Duffin (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ discovered at their farm (www.dailymail.co.uk)