X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • SPF 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

Wife lays next to dead husband and dies moments after

3 min read
Wife lays next to dead husband and dies moments after

An inquest heard that Raymond and Paula Shepherd’s bodies were found next to one another on their bedroom floor when an estate agent visited

“Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it,” says author Joan Didion in her award-winning book “A Year of Magical Thinking,” a memoir following the death of her husband. “We anticipate that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death.”

She adds: “We misconstrue the nature of even those few days or weeks. We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect this shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind.”

This obliterative and dislocating shock must have been what Paula Shepherd felt when she saw her husband laying on the floor, dead.

Paula and her husband Raymond had been married for over forty years. They so loved each other that Paula could not bear imagine the future without him.

So she waited for death to arrive beside her husband.

Their real estate agent Suzanne Ashman found their bodies when she visited their home after they failed to answer any correspondence over the sale of their home.

The couple’s daughter Alison White had also dropped by the house for a visit, but because her parents were often on a holiday, she thought nothing was amiss.

Everlasting love

Basil Purdue, consultant pathologist, said: “It isn’t clear why she didn’t summon help, but the imminent house move and the sudden realization of losing her partner may have rendered her seriously confused which would account for her actions.”

“It may be she despaired and chose to lay by her husband, having a final seizure, and she may have given up the will to live,” he added.

The couple’s daughter agrees with the consultant pathologist’s statement. “[Mum] always took the back seat and dad was her anchor,” she said.

“Her world had collapsed totally without him,” said coroner David Horsley. “They had been together a long time and I think she couldn’t see a future without him.

“I’m satisfied her death, like his, is due to natural causes. We can’t imagine what went on in the time between the deaths and it’s such a tragedy.”

This is a story of tragic proportions, and yet we can’t help but appreciate such love Paula had for her husband that she was willing to die with him.

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. 

 

Partner Stories
21st Century Parenting 101: Hear From Our Experts About Everything from S.T.E.M to Your Child’s Digital Well Being
21st Century Parenting 101: Hear From Our Experts About Everything from S.T.E.M to Your Child’s Digital Well Being
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!
Try This Proven Method to Raise a Smart and Happy Child
Try This Proven Method to Raise a Smart and Happy Child
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

  • Home
  • /
  • Parenting
  • /
  • Wife lays next to dead husband and dies moments after
Share:
  • Double tragedy as man falls to death while hanging laundry, wife dies of heart attack soon after

    Double tragedy as man falls to death while hanging laundry, wife dies of heart attack soon after

  • Mum finally gets to hold her baby after close call with septic shock

    Mum finally gets to hold her baby after close call with septic shock

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Double tragedy as man falls to death while hanging laundry, wife dies of heart attack soon after

    Double tragedy as man falls to death while hanging laundry, wife dies of heart attack soon after

  • Mum finally gets to hold her baby after close call with septic shock

    Mum finally gets to hold her baby after close call with septic shock

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.