A pensioner who killed his wife before committing suicide left a heartbreaking note for his son saying he had dementia.

The inquests into the deaths of George and Betty Lyons were heard at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone today.

It was revealed that George, 88, had left a note in the kitchen for his son and daughter-in-law which read: "I'm the same as mum, I'm sorry Simon and Lorraine."

Betty, 85, a retired librarian, had suffered with dementia for several years.

The coroner heard that she had been killed by compression to the neck and ruled it was an unlawful killing.

George, a retired mechanical engineer, was killed by suspension and committed suicide.

The couple were discovered in their home in Rochester on Saturday, April 21.

Their son, Simon, paid tribute in the hearing and said: "They were devoted to each other."