Church steward Martin Lawrie, who battered his wife to death after a prayer meeting, is thought to have died from exposure as well as head injuries.

Police are still piecing together the final hours of Martin and Joan Lawrie, who were found dead at their home in Church View, Freeland, on Sunday.

Detectives believe that 71-year-old Mr Lawrie killed his wife in a frenzied attack before throwing himself from an upstairs window of their £130,000 detached house.

Former teacher Mrs Lawrie's throat had been cut and she had been hit repeatedly with a claw hammer.

The couple were last seen at a prayer meeting on Thursday and it is thought Mr Lawrie, who suffered severe head injuries in the fall, died from exposure after lying on the patio through a freezing night.

Det Chief Insp Euan Read, who is leading the inquiry into the tragedy, said the Lawries are thought to have died between late Thursday evening and Friday morning last week.

"The last sighting was about 9.30pm on Thursday when they were dropped at their home following a church meeting," he said. "All our inquiries show they were a devoted and loving couple, regular churchgoers who were highly respected. "We want to dispel any rumours that someone killed them and is on the loose. We are not looking for anyone else."

Further tests are being carried out on Mr Lawrie's body to establish exactly when and how he died. He is believed to have suffered ill health since a heart operation two years ago.

A neighbour called an ambulance on Sunday morning after spotting Mr Lawrie lying on the patio. When paramedics saw the extent of his injuries they called the police.

Mrs Lawrie, 72, was found with severe head and neck injuries in an upstairs bedroom.

One neighbour said: "We just can't take this in. They were such nice people and highly respected. Mrs Lawrie would always stop and have a chat."

Mr Lawrie was a senior steward at the Methodist Church and Mrs Lawrie was also deeply involved and known for her flower arranging skills.

She was also well known to many people in the village after teaching at the Church Of England Primary School for 16 years before retiring in 1983.

The church's minister the Rev David Freeland said: "It is the most terrible shock to us all and we just don't know what happened. "They were much loved and respected and a wonderful support to the church."

Det Chief Insp Read added: "The residents of Freeland are naturally shocked and upset by these sad and tragic deaths."

Police are talking to the couple's daughter, who lives in Manchester, and son, who is in Australia.

Det Chief Insp Read said: "Investigations into these deaths will continue for some days and a full report on how they happened and why they happened will be sent to the coroner."

Story date: Tuesday 16 February

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