A peaceful Essex community has been left reeling after the tragic discovery of a married couple found dead inside their home, an eight-word note pinned to the front door.
The bodies of Stephen and Carol Baxter were discovered by police at their bungalow on Wellington Road in the village of Great Notley, near Braintree, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19 September.
A Chilling Discovery for Emergency Services
Officers from Essex Police were called to the property to perform a welfare check. Upon arrival, they were met with a sombre and direct message attached to the door, which read: "We are in the back room. Do not resuscitate."
This brief instruction led them to the couple inside the house. Despite the efforts of paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service, both Mr. and Mrs. Baxter were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Quiet Life in a Close-Knit Village
Neighbours on the quiet, modern estate have described the Baxters as a lovely, private, and retired couple who kept themselves to themselves. The news has sent a wave of shock and sadness through the local area, with many struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
One resident expressed the collective grief, stating the couple were "very nice people" and that the incident was "so very sad."
Investigation Concludes No Third Party Involvement
Essex Police immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. A force spokesperson confirmed that the deaths are not being treated as suspicious and that a file is being prepared for the coroner.
An inquest into both deaths was opened and adjourned at Essex Coroner's Court in October. The proceedings will seek to establish the full facts behind this deeply sorrowful event at a later date.
