Homicide verdict on dentist victims

Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan died as a result of “homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning”, a fresh inquest into their deaths…

Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan died as a result of "homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning", a fresh inquest into their deaths has found, writes Dan Keenan.

The two were found dead in a car that had been left in a garage at an address in Castlerock, Co Derry, in 1991.

It was originally assumed they died in a suicide pact following the discovery of their spouses’ infidelity.

Dentist Colin Howell is serving a life sentence with a minimum 21-year tariff after he admitted their murder, while Hazel Stewart was sentenced to life with an 18-year minimum term when she was found guilty of murder in March.

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Adjusting the findings of the original inquest in Belfast yesterday, coroner John Leckey included the decision that their deaths were homicide and altered the place of death from the Castlerock garage to their respective homes in nearby Coleraine.