Woman, 65, found at £1m manor that featured on BBC show died from self-inflicted shotgun wounds, inquest told
A WOMAN found under a tree at her manor home that featured on a BBC show died from self-inflicted shotgun wounds, an inquest heard.
Lesley Page, 65, was discovered by her husband Stephen in the grounds of four-acre Banyer Hall in Emneth, Norfolk.
A man was in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder over her death but faced no further action.
An inquest heard how Lesley shot herself with the weapon but “she may not have intended to die”.
Norfolk’s senior coroner Jacqueline Lake said the tragedy may have been a “call for help”.
The horror unfolded on September 11 last year when Stephen called 999 to say his “wife had shot herself”.
Lesley was discovered with shotgun injuries to her torso in the grounds of their 17th Century hall, which featured on Escape to the Country.
A 12-gauge Caesar shotgun was found beside her body and experts confirmed fingerprints on the gun matched her own.
Police found Lesley’s positioning meant she would have been able to fire the gun, which was “unlikely” to have been fired accidentally.
Her mum Lillian Noding, who also lived at the home, told police that her daughter would go clay pigeon shooting.
The inquest was told Lesley worked as a personal assistant at Barclays Bank in Canary Wharf.
She had tended her resignation a month before her death due to the long commute and not being happy with her work.
Lesley had accepted a position at a local solicitors’ firm and had been due to start the following month.
Det Insp Alix Wright told the hearing there were no complaints recorded that related to bullying and nothing of concern was found in the financial records.
Stephen said in the weeks leading up to her death, his wife had “become very timid”.
He added: “When you live with somebody for 46 years, you notice things.
“Lesley was a really strong person and if she did not like something, she would tell you.
“The last two weeks were like a light switch had gone.”
Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner said there was evidence Lesley was “looking forward to the future“.
She pointed out there was no suicide note and nothing of concern in her phone.
Ms Lake said: “Mrs Page shot herself and died as a result of her injuries but the evidence doesn’t reveal her intention at the time.”
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