A husband flew into a rage and strangled his wife to death before hanging himself while their two-year-old son slept in his cot, an inquest has heard.
Kiril Nemcev, 32, attacked his wife Lana Nemceva, 33, after they argued about her mother Liubov Zatsepina moving in with them.
The couple’s lodger then made the grisly discovery when he returned from work to their home in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.
An inquest heard Kiril was found unresponsive in the hallway, while his wife’s lifeless body was on the bathroom floor.
Kiril Nemcev, 32, attacked his wife Lana Nemceva, 33, after they argued about her mother moving in to their Burton Upon Trent home, an inquest into their deaths has heard
The couple had been rowing over Lana’s mother Liubov Zatsepina (above) moving in with them
The couple’s lodger then made the grisly discovery when he returned from work to the couple’s home in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
He had a superficial stab wound in his stomach which Lana is thought to have inflicted before he strangled her using a chokehold.
Their two-year-old son was in the cot in the couple’s bedroom and was unharmed.
The couple had moved to the UK from their native Latvia with Lana getting a job as an optometrist while Kiril worked as a chef at Pizza Express.
But a hearing at South Stafforshire Coroner’s Court heard Kiril had taken medication for anxiety and had researched divorce online before attacking his wife.
The couple’s lodger Yuri Latchis discovered their bodies after returning home after work and finding the front door locked on September 4 last year.
He climbed in through the bathroom window at 11pm where he found Lana lying on the bathroom floor.
Kiril, who was found unresponsive in the hallway, had a superficial stab wound in his stomach which Lana is thought to have inflicted before he strangled her using a chokehold
Their two-year-old son was in the cot in the couple’s bedroom and was unharmed
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Ison, of Staffordshire Police, said the couple’s relationship became strained when Lana’s mother stayed with them.
He told the inquest: ‘Lana’s mother lived at the property at times as well. She was abroad and back home on the day in question. The lodger was at work.
‘He returned home shortly after 11pm and found that he couldn’t get into the house as he would normally.
‘He had to gain access through his own bathroom window which was insecure.
‘He then found the bodies of Kiril and Lana. He then made contact with the emergency services to notify us.
‘Following extensive forensic examination, such as blood pattern analysis experts, we are satisfied or that there is no third party involvement and Kiril hung himself.
‘Working with the available facts that I have is the knife that was recovered from the bathroom next to Lana’s body was more than likely used to inflict such an injury on Kiril.
‘It is my belief that it was potentially Lana that may have inflicted that injury on Kiril.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Ison, of Staffordshire Police, said the couple’s relationship became strained when Lana’s mother stayed with them
‘He had some recent anxiety issues and had been speaking to his local GP about these anxiety issues. I believe he received medication to help him with that.
‘There was certainly tension around Lana’s mother living at the address with them. It certainly put pressure on the relationship.
DCI Ison added that Lana’s mother had been living there to assist with the child and her plan to move back in soon had ‘put pressure on the couple’s relationship.
‘I think the relationship had broken down and I’m aware from telecoms they were researching around divorce Lawyers and separation.’
Toxicology showed Kiril had a small amount of alcohol in his system but no drugs.
Pathologist Dr Charlotte Louise Randall said: ‘The post mortem examination revealed evidence of compression of the neck or strangulation.
‘Whatever the method, there is little doubt the pressure on her neck had been sufficiently forceful and prolonged to result in death.
Coroner Andrew Haigh addressed Lana’s family, saying: ‘I am sorry that Kiril and Lana have come to this country to work and I am so sorry that their lives end here in this tragic manner’
‘The presence of bruising to the lower face and tears to the inner lining of the lips also raises the suspicion of a hand or object being placed over the mouth or smothering.’
In conclusion, Coroner Andrew Haigh said: ‘It is clear from the evidence there were difficulties in the relationship and there had been some inquiries about divorce.
‘I also accept the evidence that Kiril had some psychiatric problems, mainly anxiety, and had been prescribed medication.
‘Police reached the conclusion there has been an altercation, Lana has stabbed Kiril but he has strangled her and then hanged himself.
‘My findings will be as follows: Kiril’s cause of death is a ligature suspension of the neck, known as hanging. On the balance of probabilities is this is suicide while mentally unwell.
‘In respect of Lana, the cause of death is compression of the neck, known as strangulation and is unlawful killing.’
Addressing her family, he added: ‘I am sorry that Kiril and Lana have come to this country to work and I am so sorry that their lives end here in this tragic manner.’