THE small village of Shirenewton is still in shock following the deaths of a local man and woman at the weekend.

Police were called to Lower Pink Farm, Bully Hole Bottom, at 9.15am last Saturday morning, by cattle breeder Richard Parker-Morgan, 63.

His wife, Brenda, also 63, was discovered dead at the scene.

It is believed Mrs Parker-Morgan died after being shot with a humane killer, a bolt gun used in slaughterhouses to dispatch cattle, before Mr Parker-Morgan turned the gun on himself, inflicting what was described as an 'horrendous facial injury'.

Mr Parker-Morgan died as a result of the injury yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

Gwent Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing and say it is a domestic incident "arising from historic family circumstances".

Detectives are trying to piece together the motive behind Mrs Parker-Morgan's murder, and are examining the relationship between husband and wife.

Neighbours spoke of previous difficulties in the couple's relationship and said they liked to keep themselves to themselves.

And some local residents remember Richard's marriage to former wife, Pamela, being volatile. Pamela used to own a beauty parlour in Chepstow town centre.

Now known as Pamela Mannings and living a new life on the Scilly Isles, Ms Mannings declined to comment on the recent tragedy, or her past life with Parker-Morgan.

She told the Free Press: "It is so long ago, I think it is best left unsaid. I appreciate what you are trying to do for me."

Mr Parker-Morgan was a well-known cattle breeder. He and his wife Brenda had won prizes at agricultural shows all over Britain.

Monmouthshire county councillor Robert Greenland said: "I only met them once or twice but they seemed an amiable couple. This has shocked the community and such a tragedy is very sad."

Peter Marr, 56, worked with Mr Parker-Morgan for ten years at the Tesco distribution warehouse on Newhouse Farm.

He said he was shocked to hear the news about his former colleague. Mr Marr said: "I first met Richard in July 1989, when I went to work at Tesco.

"We worked closely together on the production line - choosing fruit and vegetables to go into the store from the distribution warehouse.

"I found Richard very friendly and what I would describe as a decent person.

"I never socialised with him, but in work I found him very likeable. "I only worked with him for eight or nine hours a day, so I didn't know what he was like outside of work. I knew he owned a small holding and was involved with cattle breeding and showing.

"I was shocked and surprised when I heard what had happened - but I did not know anything about his social life.

"I left the company in 1999, Richard was still working there then." Formal identification of Mrs Parker-Morgan is still to be completed but her death was caused as a result of a head injury.

Police say they have recovered a captive bolt humane killer gun from the house which is being "examined as a potential murder weapon".

Detectives are investigating how Mr Parker-Morgan sustained his injuries. Police say an inquest will be held into the deaths, but a date has not yet been fixed.