An elderly couple who had grown tired of the modern world died in each others arms at their family home.
George and Barbara Purves both had more than twice the minimum lethal dose of morphine in their systems.
But coroner Derek Winter said yesterday it was impossible to be absolutely sure how they had come to take the drug.
Mr Purves, 88, a retired anaesthetist, and his wife, 83, were found dead in bed at their home in Roker Baths Road, Sunderland, on October 20, last year.
Police had broken in after the alarm was raised by a neighbour, an inquest at Sunderland City Magistrates' Court heard.
The coroner recorded open verdicts on their deaths.
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