Family expresses heartache after murder-suicide tragedy
A father spoke tonight of his heartache and the family's devastation over the murder of their daughter by her estranged husband who later killed himself.
Paul Barclay, 55, said: "I'm just numb. It's all so surreal and I don't think it has sunk in."
Mother-of-three Sharon Hull, 33, a chartered accountant, was found dead at the couple's home in Antrim on Saturday.
Just minutes later the body of her husband Philip, 34, was discovered at the wheel of his crashed Ford Escort which was filled with exhaust fumes.
They had been married for 12 years, but separated last month. They had three children, two boys and a girl.
In a statement to the Press Association tonight, father of five Mr Barclay, a health and safety manager, said: "Sharon was a very bubbly mother of three and a very successful chartered accountant. Her passing will leave a massive hole in the lives of her family, friends and colleagues.
"Since her death, a number of inaccuracies have been reported adding to the pain and distress suffered by both families involved. Both families need time and space to come to terms with the events of the weekend.
"In order to protect the families, especially the children involved, we would ask all media to respect our privacy and stay away from both funerals."
Hull, a pub doorman, who played for Antrim Rugby Football Club, had been served with a court order banning him from going to the couple's home at Carnbeg Meadows. He had a history of violence, neighbours revealed.
One said: "He wasn't the gentle giant some people claimed him to be. Yes, there were times when he was a doting father, but he was also someone who could be very volatile."
Post mortem examinations have been carried out and a Coroners' Court inquest will be held later. Mrs Hull had not been stabbed.
Her husband was found dead in his car at a forest five miles from the house where Mrs Hull's body was discovered. None of the children were there at the time.
