AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a couple who were found in the back seat of their car in a field in March.

Jaswant Singh Beeharry, 48, and Isabel Ibanez-Mahiques, 54, who owned two care homes in the Fens, were found in the back seat of their Black BMW on Saturday.

The couple, who lived in Back Road, Friday Bridge, owned the Terrington Lodge home, at Terrington St Clement, and the Maria Helena Care home at Spalding, Lincs.

The inquest heard that the farm manager at Bradney Farm, in Floods Ferry Road, alerted the emergency services after spotting the car parked in a field at the farm.

Police and paramedics arrived to find the couple dead, with slight fire damage noted on the inside of the car.

Police have confirmed that “there was no third party involvement or suspicious circumstances in connection with these deaths”.

Post mortem examinations have been carried out on the couple, but their causes of death remain unknown pending further tests.

The inquest was opened and adjourned by David Morris, Coroner for North East Cambridgeshire, at Huntingdon Law Courts this morning.

More than 50 elderly people lived at the couple’s two care homes.

Debbie Olley, assistant director of community services at Norfolk County Council, said: “This is clearly a difficult time for everyone associated with Terrington Lodge.

“We are supporting the care home manager and all the residents will continue to be cared for at the home in the immediate future.

“While there is some unavoidable uncertainty about the future of the home at the moment we will ensure that all the residents continue to receive the care they need.”

Glen Garrod, Lincolnshire’s assistant director for adult social care, said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Mr and Mrs Beeharry at this tragic time.

“We will, of course, assist the police and the coroner’s office with their investigations in any way we possibly can.

“Our priority now is, and remains, the home’s residents. We’re working closely with the Maria Helena Care home staff to ensure all residents and their families receive as much support and reassurance as we’re able to give in this very difficult situation.”