A "worried" Somerset husband stabbed his ill wife to death then died after his car crashed into a tree at high speed, an inquest heard.

Edward Furneaux, 74, Weston-super-Mare, had become stressed and unable to sleep due to the ill health of Ann Furneaux, 70, his wife of about 50 years, and taking on the household chores.

He was found dead at the wheel of his car, which had crashed into a tree at up to 65mph, a mile away from the couple's house.

Police liaison officers went to the home to break the news of Mr Furneaux's death, but found the three-bedroomed property locked, with the curtains closed.

They used the retired accountant's keys to gain entry and found Mrs Furneaux dead in her bed, with a fatal stab wound to her neck and injuries to her head.

After an inquest at Avon Coroner's Court, assistant coroner Peter Harrowing concluded that retired auxiliary nurse Mrs Furneaux had been unlawfully killed.

But Dr Harrowing said he could not be sure that her husband intended to take his own life, and reached a narrative conclusion in respect of his death.

"Mr Furneaux died of multiple injuries following a road traffic collision," the coroner said.

"Mrs Furneaux was found dead in her bed at her home address. Her death was a result of the single stab wound to her neck and blunt injuries to her head.

"I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mrs Furneaux was unlawfully killed."

Post-mortem examinations found Mr Furneaux died from chest injuries from the car crash on Kewstoke Road at about 7.45am on January 19.

His wife died from a stab wound to her neck. She had also suffered head injuries, thought to be from a claw hammer found next to her body.

Investigators found no defects on Mr Furneaux's blue Volkswagen Golf, which is believed to have hit the tree at between 60 and 65 mph.

Police Constable Joseph Sample, of Avon and Somerset Police, said Mr Furneaux had not been wearing a seatbelt or taken evasive action before the crash.

Officers found Mrs Furneaux, who had emphysema and rarely went downstairs at home, dead in her bed at the couple's home.

They recovered a kitchen knife from her bathroom sink and a claw hammer from beside her left knee. She was pronounced dead at 9.25am.

Mr Furneaux had previously told friends and neighbours he had been struggling to sleep and keep up with household chores due to his wife's illness.

The inquest heard Mrs Furneaux would sometimes cough for five minutes at a time, keeping her husband up through the night.

Detective Constable Richard Kitchener said: "There was evidence Edward Furneaux was using ear defenders in order to aid his sleep.

"These were filled with cotton wool. Further cotton wool was on the sideboard, which we believe he was using in his ears with the ear defenders on top."

DC Kitchener said notes were found in the kitchen by Mr Furneaux, planning his daily chores, including instructions for cooking the couple's meals.

"We think it is highly likely that Mr Furneaux killed his wife Ann and then, following her death or the assault on her, he has driven his car a short distance to where he has driven it into a tree, possibly with the intent of killing himself," the detective added.

Mrs Furneaux suffered ill health following a knee operation in December 2015 and was diagnosed with emphysema a year later.

Three days before her death, Mr Furneaux visited his doctor, reporting that he was not sleeping and feeling under pressure with household chores.

Friend Michael Philips said he was "struggling to cope" with the chores and had lost weight since his wife had become unwell.

"Ed was a nice guy, a quiet guy, but such a worrier," Mr Philips said. "He worried about everything."

Mr Philips' wife Sylvia described the couple as "inseparable" and said they had previously enjoyed regular holidays in their camper van.

But Mrs Furneaux became too unwell to go out, with Mr Furneaux taking on caring for her and the chores.

"I have never seen Ed lose his temper although I noticed the frustration building up," Mrs Philips said.

"Ed said 'I'm getting towards the end of my tether, I don't know what to do for the best'."

Neighbour Dorothy Bressington described the couple as "devoted" to each other.

"I remember taking to Ed about her health and he said she would never get better," Mrs Bressington added.

The family of Mr and Mrs Furneaux did not attend the inquest in Flax Bourton, Somerset.