«Breaking News» Former Tory councillor, 81, may have shot his ex-mayor dementia-ridden wife of 60 years

Police were last night investigating whether a former councillor killed his wife of 60 years before taking his own life.

The bodies of John Dunbavand and his wife Janette, a former Tory mayor, were found at their home in Hertfordshire yesterday morning.

Last night, neighbours reported hearing a single gunshot before police were called to the house.

Janette Dunbavand (pictured left and right) and her husband John were discovered at 7.55am

Neighbours of the elderly couple, who were both aged 81, said Janette had been living with dementia before her death

The Dunbavands, both 81, had lived in their £750,000 home in Northchurch, near Berkhamsted, for decades.

Mrs Dunbavand had enjoyed a long and successful career in local politics, but neighbours said she had become seriously ill with advanced dementia.

One said: ‘Janette had been really suffering in recent times. She could not even recognise people and friends, despite having lived in the lane all her life.

‘It must have been difficult for them as a couple to cope. It is really sad but perhaps they thought this was the only way out for them.’

As police carried out forensic work in a tent in the front garden, another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The police are not telling us much, but we know Janette had dementia and was really struggling recently.’

A third neighbour said: ‘John was struggling to look after her. He might have thought, “I can’t look after her any more”.’

Hertfordshire Police were called to the £750,000 property after receiving reports of concern for their welfare

Mrs Dunbavand died in the same house she was born in. It was built by her father, a well-known local builder. She joined Dacorum borough council in 1985 and retired in 2003 having also served as mayor between 1994 and 1995.

She later joined Northchurch parish council, while her husband served as a Conservative councillor.

In 2011 Mrs Dunbavand ran a campaign to try to stop drivers speeding down her country lane.

She told a local newspaper at the time: ‘I have lived in Darrs Lane for all my life and the road is extremely dangerous… it’s chock-a-block with traffic going much too fast. Something must be done.’

A remnant of that campaign was a 30mph traffic sign which was still attached to the hedge outside her home yesterday. The house remained cordoned off last night.

Mrs Dunbavand was a director of Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust and, until two years ago, was still active as a director of Berkhamsted School Enterprises Limited. This group promotes the commercial interests of the £30,000-a-year private school.

She and her husband were both keen golfers and enjoyed playing at nearby Stocks Golf Club well into their seventies.

The former mayor was also a horsewoman and would often ride around nearby Northchurch Common. She joined the old Hertfordshire Hunt in the Fifties.

The couple were together 60 years, having married in the pretty market town of Berkhamsted in 1958.

The Dunbavands had one daughter, Susan, 56, who is thought to be living in Australia, and a son, Robin, 54, who also lives on their street.

Police said they were called to the address following reports for the couple’s welfare. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Paying tribute to the couple, a spokesman for Berkhamsted School said: ‘Both were valued local politicians, and had served the school as governors. Mrs Dunbavand was also an Old Berkhamstedian, having attended the school during her senior and sixth years.

‘Mr and Mrs Dunbavand will be remembered for their contribution to both the school and local communities.’

Gordon Godfrey, of Northchurch parish council, said: ‘They served the community for many years. Unfortunately Janette had dementia for a number of years. She had been all for looking after the area and its people.’

Hertfordshire Police said: ‘The circumstances around the deaths are being investigated and police remain at the scene.’

Neighbours of a former mayor and her husband who were found dead at their secluded home today in an apparent murder suicide have revealed how they heard gunshots ring out in the early hours. 

Janette Dunbavand, who had been the mayor of leafy Berkhamsted, and her husband John, a former Conservative councillor, were discovered at 7.55am.

Neighbours of the elderly couple, who were both aged 81, said Janette had been living with dementia before her death, while one resident claimed to have heard gunshots this morning.

Hertfordshire Police were called to the £750,000 property after receiving reports of concern for their welfare.

They entered the house and discovered the two occupants were both already dead.

The alarm was raised at around 8am after police received calls from people concerned for the welfare of the elderly couple

Police have stressed that there is no threat to the wider community and that no-one else is being sought in connection with the deaths.

A pathologist was called to the scene to examine the bodies before they were due to be taken to a hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Neighbours revealed their shock at news of the tragic deaths at the quaint property where the Dunbavands had lived for at least 35 years.

One man said: 'Janette had not been very well for a long time - she had dementia and I believe John has been taking care of and looking after her for quite a while.

'I don't think she has been of sound mind for some time and this was possibly his decision.

'I did hear a gunshot this morning but police won't confirm what that was - it is really, really sad. When we first moved in they were really kind, friendly people.

'Janette was a very active member of the local community - she was chairman of the local council. She was a lovely woman and she was such a busy body! I think it is a bit of tragic situation.'

Another neighbour added: 'I think he (John) was struggling with the fact she was very ill - they were very loving and very happy with each other, but I don't think he expressed how he was feeling. I think he was struggling with it all.

'It is such a strange thing to happen on your road. We heard the shot this morning but we didn't go to see what it was, thankfully and it took us all a while to get back to our homes. Apparently the police will be here all night.' 

Neighbour, Amy Harmin, 44, said the couple were well known in the area and Jannette's family used to own the land surrounding Darrs Lane.

She said: 'I didn't know them very well but they were nice to talk to. They were both involved in the local council and have lived here since forever.

'Jannette's family used to own the land around here. I know they had two children and quite a few grandchildren.

'It's absolutely horrible but almost a relief to hear it was confined to their home and it wasn't something more sinister.'

Another neighbour who asked not to be named said his wife was good friends with Jannette.

He said: 'It is tragic, my wife knew the woman well and is very upset.

'The police posted a note through our doors and said they'd come back with more information later today. It's truly awful.'

Another neighbour who asked not to be named added the couple were 'well loved and respected'.

Janette was Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum between 1994 and 1995 and a former councillor on Northchurch Parish Council.

She was listed as director of Berkhamsted School Enterprise Ltd from 1996 to 2002 and director of Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust from 1997 to 1999. 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/23/former-tory-councillor-81-may-have-shot-his-ex-mayor-dementia-ridden-wife-of-60-years/
Main photo article Police were last night investigating whether a former councillor killed his wife of 60 years before taking his own life.
The bodies of John Dunbavand and his wife Janette, a former Tory mayor, were found at their home in Hertfordshire yesterday morning.
Last night, neighbours reported hearing a...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/22/16/11329752-6839133-image-m-63_1553272655784.jpg