No charge after wife's body found

Howard Lewis could not cope after his wife died, says the CPS

A pensioner who failed to report the death of his wife and lived with her body in their house for months will not face prosecution.

The body of Elizabeth Lewis, 79, was found in November at the home in Graigwen, Pontypridd, she shared with her husband Howard, 68.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had been dead for several months.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Mr Lewis could not explain why he had not called emergency services.

The public interest would normally require a prosecution, even in a case of inaction by the responsible person rather than deliberate concealment of a body Crown Prosecution Service

Police were called in to investigate after neighbours became worried that they had not seen Mrs Lewis for some time.

When police went to the couple's home on 11 November, Mrs Lewis' body was found in her bed by officers.

The CPS said Mr Lewis told police after his arrest that he could not explain why he had not called the emergency services.

The CPS said: "Mr Lewis described how his wife sadly died of natural causes one Saturday morning several months ago and said that he could not explain why he had not called a doctor or ambulance, or sought the assistance of neighbours."

'Deteriorating health'

But forensic investigations confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and that Mr Lewis had for some time struggled to care for his wife, who had Alzheimer's disease.

The CPS said: "The public interest would normally require a prosecution, even in a case of inaction by the responsible person rather than deliberate concealment of a body.

"However, in this case, Mr Lewis is 68 years of age (and) lived with his wife for 34 years.

"Unfortunately, the last five years were marred by her deteriorating health.

"The evidence of neighbours is that Mr Lewis coped with this as best he could. When she died, he could not cope.

"The CPS has considered all the facts and decided that in the particular circumstances of this case that there will be no criminal prosecution."