Mystery of why Deighton husband killed his wife before committing suicide

A DEIGHTON man waited for his wife to return from work and killed her.

Efias Rusukira strangled Mrs Grace Rusukira with a towel in their bedroom and then hanged himself.

But a Huddersfield inquest heard there was still no obvious reasons for the double-death tragedy, despite months of investigations.

A half-written note from Mr Rusukira hinted at problems in the relationship but gave no indication of the horrors that would unfold.

The bodies of Mr Rusukira and his wife were discovered by police at their home in Chalwood, Deighton, on September 8, last year.

The joint inquest at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court heard how Mrs Rusukira was found dead in the bedroom. She had been suffocated with a towel.

Her husband was found hanged from a ligature attached to loft beams.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team carried out detailed investigations and concluded no third party was involved.

Police told the court Mr Rusukira had started a note to his wife several days before their deaths which detailed his concern over their relationship.

But Coroner Peter Straker was told the note was not finished or signed and in all likelihood was written before he had thought about what he was going to do.

Det Supt Mark Ridley, who led the investigation team, gave evidence in court.

He said Mrs Rusukira was still wearing her outdoor coat and training shoes when she was found.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

He told the court: “Grace had been asphyxiated by Efias who then hanged himself.”

Relatives of the couple asked the detective if there were any signs of a struggle by Mrs Rusukira.

Det Supt Ridley replied: “There was little signs of disturbance.”

He told the court it was his conclusion that Mr Rusukira waited for his wife to come from work and then attacked her.

A postmortem revealed Mr Rusukira died as a result of hanging and his wife as a result of asphyxia.

The court heard how the couple had moved from their home in Zimbabwe in 2003.

Both worked as carers in Huddersfield before their deaths.

Mr Straker recorded a verdict of suicide for Mr Rusukira and that Mrs Rusukira was unlawfully killed.

Speaking after the inquest Det Supt Ridley told The Examiner: “This was a very sad case.

“The inquest draws to a conclusion the couple’s death.

“Grace and Efias were a hardworking and couple and were much loved by their family.”