Man shot wife, father-in-law before himself - coroner

A 65-year-old farmer was yesterday found responsible for killing two members of his family before taking his own life.

Palmerston North coroner Tim Scott yesterday delivered his reserved findings of last week's inquest into the deaths of Desmond Winnie, his wife, Deborah Honeyfield, 51, and her father, Ian Ray Honeyfield, 86, in Feilding last year.

He found on August 20 last year, at their home in Lees Rd, Mr Winnie used a .22 calibre rifle to shoot Mr Honeyfield in the head three times, Ms Honeyfield twice in the head, and then himself once in the head, The Dominion Post reported.

Mr Scott said a suicide note was found at the scene which outlined Mr Winnie's displeasure at Mr Honeyfield living with him and his wife.

- NZPA