A MARRIED couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning, an inquest heard yesterday. Raymond and Joyce Gauvain were found dead in their home, Dell Cottage, Oberlands, St Martin’s, on the afternoon of Thursday 4 October.

Inspector Richard Medhurst delivered reports from Inspector Terry Coule, Dr Ed Partridge and consultant pathologist Catherine Chinyama. None was read out.

Insp. Medhurst said that Mr Gauvain, 63, had died between 7.30pm on Tuesday 2 and 3.37pm on Thursday 4 October.

Mrs Gauvain, 67, had died between 5pm on Monday 1 and 3.37pm on Thursday 4 October.

Dr Chinyama concluded that the couple had died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Insp. Medhurst said inquiries into the deaths were continuing. Police are awaiting a specialist report on the condition of a solid-fuel range in the couple’s home.

There were no suspicious circumstances and the inquest was being opened to enable formal identification of the couple so the bodies could be released for burial.

After giving the cause of death, assistant-Magistrate Cherry McMillen gave permission for the bodies to be released.

She extended the court’s deepest sympathy to relatives and friends of the couple and the inquest was adjourned indefinitely.