Drowning verdict at pub couple's inquest (From Stroud News and Journal)

Drowning verdict at pub couple's inquest

A DEVOTED couple who couldn't bear the thought of growing old drowned themselves in a suicide pact, an inquest heard on Friday.

Publicans Bob Dorey, 60 and wife Barbara, 59, who ran The Stirrup Cup at Bisley, left a suicide note detailing their 'failing health' and how they could not bear an 'intolerable future'.

The childless couple, married for 35 years, settled all their bills, left £7,000 cash in the safe and vanished.

They told bar staff they were going to a cash-and-carry, but three days later worried friends discovered the note.

Bob's body was found in the Channel near Calais in March last - one month after the disappearance.

Barbara's body has never been found.

The suicide note read: ''To whom it may concern, Both of us being of sound mind but failing bodies would like to state that we have decided that, being unable to face an intolerable future, to take our own lives.

They also left a note to Barbara's cousin David Davies which read:

'Both Rob and I are unwell and find facing the future intolerable so have made the decision to take our own lives.

'We hope you won't think the worst of us for this but we have thought long and hard about it.

''Thank you for all the good times we have had together, Barbie and Bob.''

The inquest in Bristol heard how neither were suffering from any life-threatening illness when they went missing.

Speaking after the verdict Barbara's cousin David Davies said: ''They say they thought long and hard about it -- I really don't think they had.'

Verdict: Barbara - presumed drowning, Robert - drowning.