A man returned from a dog walk to find his wife dead outside their home, with her hands bound by cable ties.
Valerie Freer had been callously killed in a brutal knife attack and was stabbed in the neck, an inquest heard. Derek Freer had set off to take the couple's dogs for a walk, leaving the house for around 40 minutes.
But when he got home, he found Mrs Freer - who he had been married to for 46 years - in a pool of blood. She had endured 16 stab wounds, 10 puncture wounds and scratches around the neck, according to her post-mortem.
Mr Freer found his wife "unresponsive" and "panic ensued" as he called for the emergency services on February 24 this year. He first thought Mrs Freer had fallen and banged her had, as she had a previous injury to her leg.
Her inquest, held on Tuesday (December 13), heard that Mr Freer initially had no idea how she had been injured. Her suspected killer was not named in the inquest, but has previously been identified as Argentinian national Alex Verdu Munoz, who died while being held at Strangeways prison, Manchester, on May 15.
The inquest, held by South Staffordshire Coroner's Court, heard how the Freers had lived in their bungalow in Lichfield Road, Whittington, since 1985 and had four dogs in the house, reports Stoke On Trent Live. Mrs Freer was president of the British Samoyed Club for lovers of the breed; large, fluffy white dogs which are similar to a husky.
She had a wide circle of friends and was prominent in the dog-showing community nationally and internationally. The couple met when they were teenagers and she asked him out for a drink. Mr Freer said "there was no way I was going to pass that opportunity", the hearing was told, and they married in 1975.
DI Ian Fitzgerald, of Staffordshire Police, the senior investigator on the case, told the coroner the ambulance arrived to Mrs Freer within minutes, but sadly she had already died from her injuries. The scene was sealed off and a full forensic investigation was conducted.
Although there was no CCTV around the house there was evidence of a disturbance at the front door and in the hallway. Blood was found in the house. However, the hearing was told the blood could have been moved with the dogs or through opening doors.
There had been previous incidents including aggravated burglary around Whittington in the days prior to her death and a suspicious Peugeot had been identified. Using CCTV, ANPR and dashcam footage, it was established the car was in the area of her home around the time of her death.
It was a hire car from Heathrow Airport and had been hired by Munoz. It was traced to Slough the same day and boxed in by Thames Valley Police.
Munoz deliberately crashed the car and ended up in hospital. Officers found a knife in a suitcase in the car, which he had brought over from Argentina. It had Mrs Freer's blood on it and his DNA on the handle.
There was also black tape under the driver's seat, as well as cable ties and blood on the door handle and sleeve of a jacket. It was found Munoz had rented an Air BnB in Whittington and had been staying there since February 10.
Inside, police found handcuffs, cable ties and items used for picking locks. He was arrested and charged with Mrs Freer's murder, reports StaffordshireLive.
Before she died, Mrs Freer was a "fit and healthy" woman, with her only problem being the injury to her leg. South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Barkley ruled Mrs Freer died from stab wounds to her neck and recorded a verdict that she was unlawfully killed.
He passed on his condolences to the family, describing what happened as "horrific and life-changing" for all those who knew Mrs Freer.
At the time of her death, Mrs Freer's family released a statement saying: "Words cannot even begin to describe how truly devastated we are to have lost our wonderful Val. Her illuminating smile and infectious laughter would light up any room.
"An incredibly beautiful lady both inside and out, she was always so loving and caring to all those around her. Val is loved infinitely by family and friends around the world. She will be hugely missed, remaining forever in our hearts."
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