Detectives are investigating the sudden death of a couple whose bodies were found at their home in Suffolk.
Jonathan Metcalf, 72, and his wife, Sally, who was in her sixties, were volunteers with the National Trust. They had both been ill recently, neighbours in Woodbridge said.
It is thought that the police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths but officers have not revealed the cause of death.
The emergency services were called at 6.15pm on Saturday after the couple were found dead in their 18th-century home.
Friends said that they were a lovely couple who were volunteers at the Sutton Hoo burial site. Mrs Metcalf had recently had cancer. Her husband, who had helped to start an allotment scheme in the market town, had also been ill in recent years.
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Clare Perkins, a former mayor of Woodbridge, said: “They were just beautiful people and were always ready with a smile and kind words. She worked so hard at Sutton Hoo and was always willing to help people.”
James Lightfoot, chairman of Choose Woodbridge, a business and tourism association, said: “They were a really nice, unassuming and seemingly contented couple. What has happened is awful. They loved everything that went on at Sutton Hoo and its Anglo Saxon history.”
Linda Page-Mullett, who also knew them, said: “I used to see them walking around and going shopping together during lockdown. You could not find a more devoted couple.”
Police officers stood guard outside the couple’s £500,000 home on Saturday night and detectives were asking neighbours if they had heard anything suspicious.
Mrs Metcalf was the volunteer manager at Sutton Hoo where, in 1939, an 86ft Anglo Saxon burial ship was found beside the River Deben. Her husband was a ranger at the site.
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In an interview on its website she said: “I find people fascinating. I enjoy being around them and trying to help them in any way I can. I get a lot of joy out of it. I see it as an all-or-nothing role, as many of our volunteers come to us because they are new to the area, are experiencing a life change such as retirement or would like to make connections with like-minded people. I just like to be a mother hen, really.”
The National Trust said: “We’re aware of an ongoing police investigation in Woodbridge. We have been left deeply saddened by the news that it involves two of our volunteers.”