Husband charged with 'mercy killing' of wife who suffered from multiple sclerosis

Robert Cook was held for 40 hours last October after his 55-year-old wife Vanessa, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, was found dead at the couple's home in Pound Hill, Crawley, Sussex.

Police and paramedics were called to the Cook's home at lunchtime on October 19 last year where Mrs Cook was pronounced dead.

Mr Cook was arrested at the scene and after 40 hours of questioning he was released on police bail while police made further enquiries.

He was then bailed again until earlier this week when he returned to speak to investigating officers and was charged.

Mr Cook was unavailable for comment but neighbours spoke of a couple who married in Crawley in June 1978 and had always been very much in love.

Neighbours told how Mrs Cook had suffered from MS for many years while her husband acted as her main carer.

A number of neighbours in the small close where the Cook's have lived for more than 20 years spoke of their shock that the dead woman's husband had been charged.

"It is an incredibly sad story," said one neighbour who did not want to be named.

"Robert has spent years looking after Vanessa but in recent times her condition deteriorated and she wasn't even really getting out of the house.

"Many of us are shocked that he should be charged with murder. He loved Vanessa with all his heart. They have lived here for about 20 years."

Another neighbour said that having lived in the street for five years he had not seen Mrs Cook emerge from the house.

"I thought the gentleman lived there alone," he added.

"I have never seen a woman coming out of the house."

One added: "They were a very loving couple - if he did such a thing he would have done it for her benefit. She was very ill and Rob did everything for her.

"I used to bring her flowers to cheer her up because with her condition she couldn't get out very easily."

A Sussex police spokesman confirmed that Mr Cook had been charged with murder at Crawley Police Station, adding:

"A 59-year-old man has been charged this afternoon, Tuesday 24th April, with murdering his 55-year-old wife, Vanessa Cook and assisting her suicide, at their home in Pound Hill, Crawley, on October, 19 2006."

When approached by a reporter earlier this week Mr Cook, described as looking tired and with bloodshot eyes, said: "I don't want to talk to the papers. I don't have anything to say to you right now."

An inquest into Mrs Cook's death is due to be opened and adjourned on Thursday at Horsham Magistrates Court.

A post mortem examination has been carried out the results have not been released.

Mr Cook, who is currently on police bail, will appear before Crawley Magistrates on Monday.

It is understood that Mr Cook took early retirement a few years ago to look after his ailing wife.

The couple - who have no children - live in a £180,000 three bedroom home in a small close in the Pound Hill district of Crawley.

Neighbours in the close, which has less than 20 homes, said the couple kept "themselves to themselves".

Mrs Cook has a surviving brother who lives in Dorking, Surrey but he has refused to discuss her death.