Separate inquest dates set for married couple found dead at Sunderland home

The remains of Alan Martin, 53, and Kay Martin, 49, were found together at a property in Shrewsbury Crescent, Sunderland, on September 20, 2018, police said.

Northumbria Police said at the time that Mrs Martin's death was being looked at as a potential murder, but that there was not believed to have been any third-party involvement in her husband's death.

Detectives also said that they were not looking for any one else in connection with the death of the wife.

On Tuesday, July 23, Sunderland coroner Derek Winter told the family of Mr Martin, who lived in Gardiner Square, Sunderland, that the inquest into his death is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 23 this year, with his wife's taking place a day earlier on Thursday, August 22.

Both inquests are expected to last a day and will not be held in front of a jury.

Mr Winter said that, prior to that date, the family will have the opportunity to read and comment on police reports relating to the deaths.

He also told them that one of the issues he would be looking into would be preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances to that of the Martins.

Mr Winter said: "This will be a fact-finding inquiry, in which one of my aims will be to comment on how future deaths can be prevented.

"There are police reports available in relation to these matters, and more generally in relation to the death of Kay Martin, which I would invite you to read and comment upon in order to establish what is agreed and what is not agreed."

The coroner said that the Northumbria Police senior investigating officer who looked into the deaths would be called as a witness in Mr Martin's inquest, and that the family could ask that a pathologist also be called if they wish.