British man 'smothers his wife to death in Cyprus so she didn't have to suffer incurable leukaemia'

British man, 74, ‘smothers his wife of 52 years to death at their home in Cyprus so she didn’t have to suffer after she was diagnosed with incurable leukaemia’

  • David Hunter, 74, allegedly killed his wife to save her suffering from leukaemia
  • Local reports claim he tried to take his own life before being arrested at Paphos General hospital
  • The couple, married for 52 years, moved to Cyprus after David lost his mining job
  • Cyprus police have confirmed a criminal investigation is currently underway  


A British man living abroad in Cyprus allegedly smothered his wife of 52 years before attempting to take his own life because he didn’t want to see her suffer with cancer.

David Hunter, 74, allegedly killed his wife Janice, 75 – who had previously been diagnosed with incurable leukaemia – at their home in Tremithousa, a village near Paphos, by covering her mouth and nose. 

The Cyprus Mail reports that David then attempted to end his life, but was arrested at Paphos General hospital. 

David Hunter, 74, (left) allegedly killed his wife Janice, 75 (right) - who had previously been diagnosed with incurable leukaemia - at their home in Tremithousa, a village near Paphos, by covering her mouth and nose

David Hunter, 74, (left) allegedly killed his wife Janice, 75 (right) – who had previously been diagnosed with incurable leukaemia – at their home in Tremithousa, a village near Paphos, by covering her mouth and nose

Local reports also said David confessed to the killing and that he had claimed his wife wanted to die peacefully following her terminal diagnosis.

Police were alerted to the incident by Interpol at 8pm on December 18 after David allegedly sent a message to family members telling them what he had done.

A criminal investigation is now underway into the incident. 

A police spokeswoman, Marina Christodoulides, said the investigation is seeking to determine whether Janice’s death was premeditated.

David and Janice lived together in the village of Tremithousa (pictured), near Paphos, Cyprus

David and Janice lived together in the village of Tremithousa (pictured), near Paphos, Cyprus

‘Because of this, the 74-year-old Briton will be remanded in Paphos general hospital for the next seven days,’ she added.

The SunOnline reports a relative told them police in Cyprus had confirmed the death was a ‘mercy killing’, but expressed their shock at the news. 

Before moving to Cyprus, David had worked as a miner, and former colleague Bernard McKever, 77, told the website: ‘They were a lovely couple, very nice and decent people, so this is a big shock.’

MailOnline has approached Cyprus Police for additional comment. 

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source: dailymail.co.uk