Woman, 65, found in £1million mansion featured on BBC show, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, inquest hears
A woman found under a tree in her country home featured on a BBC show died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, an inquest heard.
Lesley Page, 65, was discovered by her husband Stephen in the four-acre grounds of Banyer Hall in Emneth, Norfolk.
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A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder over her death, but no further action was taken.
An inquest heard how Lesley shot herself with the gun but “she may not have intended to die”.
Norfolk’s senior coroner Jacqueline Lake said the tragedy may have been a “cry for help”.
The horror unfolded on September 11 last year when Stephen called 911 to say his “wife had shot herself”.
Lesley was discovered with wounds to her torso from a shotgun blast in the grounds of their 17th century hall, which was seen on Escape to the country.
A 12-gauge Caesar shotgun was found next to her body and experts confirmed that the fingerprints on the gun matched hers.
Police found that Lesley’s positioning meant she could have fired the gun, which was “unlikely” to have been fired accidentally.
Her mother Lillian Noding, who also lived in the house, told police her daughter was going to go skeet shooting.
The inquest revealed that Lesley worked as a personal assistant at Barclays Bank in Canary Wharf.
She had resigned a month before her death due to the long commute and the fact that she was unhappy with her job.
Lesley had accepted a job at a local law firm and would start the following month.
Det Insp Alix Wright told the hearing that no complaints had been registered in connection with bullying and nothing of concern was found in the financial records.
Stephen said his wife had “become very timid” in the weeks leading up to her death.
He added: ‘When you live with someone for 46 years you notice things.
“Lesley was a very strong person and if she didn’t like something she would tell you.
“The last two weeks have been like a light switch went off.”
Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner said there was evidence that Lesley ‘looked forward to the future“.
She pointed out that there was no suicide note and nothing of concern in her phone.
Ms Lake said: “Ms Page shot herself and died as a result of her injuries, but the evidence does not reveal her intent at the time.”
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