Woman bludgeoned to death as she slept - inquest

A woman was bludgeoned to death by a man who later took his own life, an inquest has heard.

Cornwall Coroner's Court heard Milly Rosevear, 60, had a brief relationship with Adrian Lawrence, 59, but had told him to leave her home in Churchtown Road, Illogan, on 10 January.

Lawrence added codeine to her pill box and used a pickaxe handle to hit her on her head and face as she slept, the inquest heard.

Senior coroner Andrew Cox ruled Rosevear had been unlawfully killed. An inquest into Lawrence's death is due to be heard next week.

The coroner said Rosevear had been "happy and contented" before Lawrence contacted her and moved in after a 40 year gap with no contact since a brief relationship as teenagers.

He said Rosevear had been uncomfortable with Lawrence's controlling behaviour and his interference with her medication.

The inquest heard Lawrence had forced himself on her shortly before her death, after which Rosevear told him she wanted some space.

Although he had appeared calm, Cox said he returned to the house and "assaulted Milly in her bed while she slept".

The coroner said she had been under the influence of medication and had not seen or heard him come into her bedroom.

"He has struck her repeatedly to both the head and face with the handle of a pickaxe and she has died as a result," said Cox.

Rosevear's wounds to her head and face were so extensive she had to be identified by her dental records, the inquest heard.

The coroner was told Lawrence then called police and his estranged wife to tell them what he had done before he later killed himself.

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