Inquest into family murder mystery

The family at Catherine Mochrie's graduation

A two-day inquest has been called by a coroner investigating the baffling deaths of a family of six whose bodies were found in their south Wales home.

A major police investigation was launched in July when Catherine Mochrie, 45, and her four children - Bethan, 10, Luke, 14, Sian, 16, and 18-year-old James - were found to have been bludgeoned to death.

Mr Mochrie later sold the Barry Hotel

Husband and father 49-year-old Robert Mochrie was found hanged nearby.

It is believed that Mr Mochrie - who had been described as a "devoted family man" - battered his wife and children to death his family before taking his own life.

Their bodies were found by South Wales Police officers who forced their way in to the family's detached home in a quiet suburb of Barry, near Cardiff.

The family were discovered after worried relatives contacted the police. They had not been seen for 11 days.

Witness statements

On Monday, Cardiff and Vale Coroner Dr Laurence Addicottt announced that he had set aside two days in April for the inquest to decide on the exact cause of death.

It is expected that up to 10 witnesses will give evidence at the hearing in Cardiff including police officers who investigated the deaths.

Family members - including Mrs Mochrie's brother former British Lion and Welsh rugby international Terry Holmes - are expected to give evidence in the form of written statements.

Dr Addicott will also hear pathology reports for all six members of the family.

Forensic continue to examine the house

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill, who is in charge of the investigation into the deaths, said it was "probable" they would never know what happened.

He had been investigating the financial affairs of Robert Mochrie, who was a former civil servant turned businessman.

Some years ago, he bought the nearby Barry Hotel, which he had turned in to a successful nightclub.

He then sold it to buy the Pembroke House Hotel in Haverfordwest, west Wales, but it closed last January after a fire.

Mr Mochrie had tried to sell it through auction just two months ago but it failed to reach its reserve price.

Meanwhile, Mrs Mochrie had returned to full time education and had graduated as a mature student at Cardiff University.

Hundreds of mourners attended the burial service of Mrs Mochrie and her children who were buried together.

Robert Mochrie was later cremated in a separate service.