A joint inquest into the deaths of ‘besotted’ couple John and Marilyn Saxon was held this week
The ‘baffling’ case of an elderly couple who died after their car inexplicably ended up in a reservoir may never be solved. John and Marilyn Saxon, both 78, were pulled from the Crook Gate Reservoir in Denshaw, Oldham, last March.
A joint inquest into their deaths was held this week. Rochdale Coroners’ Court heard the ‘besotted’ couple – ‘childhood sweethearts’, married for 58 years – drove the short distance from The Junction Inn pub to their home off Ripponden Road on March 14.
Their Land Rover, driven by Mr Saxon, briefly stopped outside the electric gates at the couple’s home. The car then accelerated through the gates before hitting a water feature and driving over a small wall. The vehicle, the court heard, then went through an adjacent field and into the reservoir.
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Recording an open conclusion, deputy chief coroner Joanne Kearsley said: “Having heard all of the evidence today, I can say it is nothing short of baffling.”
The inquest earlier heard former property manager Mrs Saxon, known as Mal, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. Her mobility and ability to hold a conversation gradually became increasingly impaired.
Mr Saxon, who earlier worked as a chartered surveyor, discussed moving his wife into a care home with their daughter Joelle Hardman, though he was concerned about her being alone. The couple were supported by three carers, the court heard.
A week before the tragedy they went on holiday to Cornwall with carer and friend Tracey McCabe. Daughter Mrs Hardman said spoke to her parents on their return and said they were in good spirits. A family meal had been arranged for Sunday, March 16, she added.
Ms McCabe visited the couple on the morning of March 14, the court heard. She said: “I helped [Mrs Saxon] have a shower; get her breakfast; and get dressed. She was going to have her hair done that afternoon. John would take her for her appointment.”
Ms McCabe said she had heard of occasional incidents of dementia-related aggression, though had not witnessed any herself. Mr Saxon, she said, called her for additional assistance when required and would help calm his wife down. Ms McCabe said there were no issues on the morning of March 14.
The court heard the couple went to The Junction Inn at around 5.30pm, as they usually did. Friend Ben Briscall said: “John bought a round. They were drinking wine at the bar and chatting about their holiday. They were in a good mood, he wanted to get a round for everybody.”
The couple were seen on CCTV getting in their car at 7.23pm. Mr Saxon appeared to help his wife into the back seat. Mrs Hardman said her mum sometimes got in the back if she was agitated or thought she was getting into a taxi.
Around nine minutes later they arrived at the gates of their home. Forensic collision investigator Jonathan McColl said tyre tracks and scratches to the car and gates indicated the Land Rover forced the gates open. The motor arms of the gates were dislodged, Mr McColl said.
Driving data revealed the accelerator was pushed from 20 per cent to 100pc around five seconds before the vehicle hit a water feature. “The brake was not pressed,” Mr McColl added.
The car, he said, then went over wall before going into a field and into the reservoir. Mr McColl said the car travelled 180m into the reservoir having hit the water feature. The couple’s bodies and the Land Rover were recovered from the water the next day.
Detective Sergeant Phillip Collingwood told the court police worked through a number of lines of enquiry – including that it was deliberate; that the car had a mechanical fault; that there was a medical episode; that there was confusion over pedals; and that there was an incident involving Mrs Saxon in the car.
He said police were only able to rule out that the vehicle did not suffer a mechanical fault. DS Collingwood said neither Mr or Mrs Saxon were wearing a seatbelt.
Police were unable to gain access to Mr Saxon’s phone. A financial investigator was tasked with looking into Mr Saxon’s accounts, the court heard. A missing payment on a loan in June 2024 was discovered, it was said.
Forensic pathologist Charles Wilson recorded cause of death in both cases as drowning. He said Mr Saxon had cuts and bruising to his nose and mouth and that he was one-and-a-half time the drink drive limit. As he was a regular drinker, it was not possible to determine the level of impairment at the time of the incident, the court heard.
‘Baffling’
Coroner Ms Kearsley said: “It is unusual for family members to lose both parents at the same time in the same incident.
“Having heard all of the evidence, I can say it is nothing short of baffling – the fact they stopped the Land Rover; the fact it accelerated through two swinging electric gates to cause damage to the property. It continues forward, accelerating forward into the water feature and stuck a wall, it continues with no attempt to brake until it goes into the reservoir, resulting in their deaths.”
Ms Kearsley said the injuries to Mr Saxon’s face were ‘in keeping with contact with the steering wheel’. She said a medical episode could not be ruled out. Evidence neither were wearing a seatbelt did not help determine what happened, she added.
“There is no evidence to support that it was deliberate on the balance of probabilities and I cannot find it is appropriate to return a conclusion of ‘accidental’,” Ms Kearsley added.
Recording an open conclusion, she told the court: “On March 14, 2025, the deceased were driver and rear passenger in a Land Rover/ Range Rover. On arrival at their home address, and captured on CCTV, they accelerated through the gates, over a small wall and continued 180 metres into Crook Gate reservoir. Despite a police investigation, it cannot be ascertained why the vehicle proceeded in this manner.”
‘Besotted’
The couple’s daughter Mrs Hardman, giving evidence, earlier paid tribute to her parents, saying they had ‘hearts of gold. “Dad was a real gentleman,” she added.
“They were always holding hands. He would buy her flowers every week. They had been married for 58 years, but had been together since they were 16. They were a perfect match and a brilliant team.
“They were besotted with each other. They worked tirelessly to make sure me and my brother had everything. They worked incredibly hard to give us the upbringing we had.”
Describing them as ‘doting grandparents’, she added: “I can’t remember a family Christmas without them. Sunday dinner was a highlight of our week. They valued our time with them and we valued their time with us.”
Following the hearing, Mrs Hardman added: “We are totally devastated about the loss of both Mum and Dad in such a tragic accident. Mum and Dad were both loving, generous, thoughtful, kind and hardworking.
“They were married for nearly 58 years and were childhood sweethearts. They were the perfect match for each other and made a great team.
“Mum and Dad came from humble beginnings, worked tirelessly all of their lives and were very family orientated. Their resilience and determination was inspirational.
“They were supportive parents and doting grandparents and they are sorely missed every day. The world is not the same without them. They’ve left a huge hole behind.
“They had lived in Saddleworth for 45 years. They were loved by many and were charitable and supported many local causes. They would help anyone and touched countless people with their warmth and kindness. We thank everyone for their support and shared memories of them. We’ve been incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved they were.
“We miss them beyond words but their love, kindness and generosity will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved them. We would like to express our thanks to the police and coroners’ office for their investigations, professionalism and support. The family ask for privacy at this time.”
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