ELDER ABUSER ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE IN CORNWALL HOME
Douglas Addison, aged 88, was accused of murdering his wife Avis, also 88, in their home in Cornwall.The incident occurred on February 22, 2017, when doctors arrived to find him crouching over her frail body, which had multiple bruises and had been suffocated.
The trial revealed that Addison had refused help from social services despite Avis’s inability to care for herself due to Alzheimer’s and physical decline.
A jury at Exeter Crown Court was informed that Addison is currently too ill to stand trial for murder, and the court has asked the jury to determine whether he was responsible for her death.
Prosecutor Anna Vigars QC described the case as especially tragic because the couple had been married for many years and were well-known in their community.
Evidence showed that the couple was struggling to cope living alone without assistance, as demonstrated by their cluttered home and concerns raised by neighbors and their son.
When social workers and doctors visited, Addison was described as defensive and aggressive, and Avis was found with fresh bruises and in a state of neglect.
Despite attempts to offer help, Addison rejected social services just a day before Avis was found dead.
The post-mortem concluded she died from suffocation, with injuries indicating she was strangled and efforts were made to do so.
Over the subsequent hours and days, Addison appeared confused and had to be reminded of her death, with the prosecutor stating, “Tragically everything had overwhelmed Mr Addison with tragic consequences for his wife.” The trial continues as authorities assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
