A married couple of more than 50 years had a row that ended with the wife dying from a heart attack.

An inquest in Bradford yesterday heard the couple’s sons found their parents bleeding heavily at their home in Salt Street, Manningham, in October this year.

Manzioor Begum, who was 80, was lying with a wound to her forehead not breathing on the floor and her 70-year-old husband Ali Mohammed Sher was injured on the settee.

The inquest heard how the couple had lived with their five sons and three daughters at the family home until the last of the children moved out six years ago. The family had all come together for a grandchild’s funeral shortly before Mrs Begum’s death.

The sons tried to revive their mother until paramedics arrived and took over. However, she died at the scene.

Coroner Roger Whittaker heard how the pensioners had health problems. Mrs Begum struggled with her knees, needing a stick and sometimes a walking frame. She also had breathing difficulties and chest problems and regularly went to see her doctor.

Mr Sher also had chronic diabetes needing daily insulin injections from nurses.

Detective Superintendent Dave Pervin, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry team, who is leading the police investigation into Mrs Begum’s death, told the inquest that officers called to the scene believed Mrs Begum had died as a result of a physical attack. It was at that point that a full investigation began.

An initial post-mortem examination found more tests needed to be carried out before the cause of death could be ascertained.

Although there was evidence of injuries to Mrs Begum’s face and head caused by a blunt object and defensive injuries to her forearms, the pathologist felt her death could have been multi-factorial.

On December 15, results of a second autopsy revealed Mrs Begum had died of a sudden heart attack due to a combination of heart disease, her injuries and blood loss.

Yesterday Det Supt Pervin said Mr Sher would be formally interviewed about his involvement but he had only just been discharged from Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was being treated for injuries he suffered. He is now getting 24-hour bed care at one of his son’s homes.

In adjourning the case pending the police investigation, Mr Whittaker said it was not clear if any charges would ever be preferred and if so, what sort of charge it would be.

He said: “It isn’t an easy situation and it’s important every stone is turned.”