11th November - Every Three Days - Christine Tunnicliffe Massey

Raymond Massey and his wife Christine Tunnicliffe Massey were found dead at their home in Beech Close, Brierley, around noon on November 7, 2015. Sheffield Coroner’s Court heard on Friday that Mr Massey, aged 67, killed his 57-year-old wife in the couple’s bedroom before turning the knife on himself.  The inquest heard he had quickly descended into paranoia and anxiety amid unfounded fears that an investment had gone wrong. Sheffield Coroner Chris Dorries said: “There are no nice words I can say in this situation Anxiety overtakes people.” The inquest heard Mr Massey had invested money in a flat in Bradford, which he had been due to sell. 

Two months prior to the tragedy, Mr Massey learned that his financial advisor had been arrested for fraud and he began to suffer ‘very high levels of anxiety as a result, the court heard. Mr Dorries said: “He thought that they were going to lose everything.”He added: “In reality, it was a decent investment which was just about to pay off.” The inquest heard Mr Massey was prescribed anti-depressants one week before the incident.

The court heard the couple had been happily married for 21-years, up until two months prior to the tragedy. During Mr Massey’s downturn, the court heard he lost weight, was not sleeping and appeared confused. Around 11.30 am on November 7, Mrs Tunnicliffe Massey’s daughter, Alison, became concerned after calling her mother but getting no response. She called her partner at the time, who attended the couple’s house and kicked the door down. After seeing ‘blood everywhere’ and Mr Massey lying dead on the floor clutching a knife, emergency services were called. The couple were confirmed dead at the scene.