Killed by the gun she gave as a gift

ESTRANGED husband Michael Falla shot his wife, Sarah, with a gun she had bought him as a birthday present - and then turned it on himself. A resumed inquest yesterday heard that he had died instantly. He was found slumped in her car at Fort Hommet headland with his finger on the trigger and the weapon still smoking.

Mrs Falla died later in hospital from a gunshot wound to the back of her head.

She had arranged a bar meal for the evening of 23 May and planned to tell him the marriage was over. She had previously packed her bags and moved out.

The 44-year-old killer left a note for his mother and 19-year-old daughter from a former marriage in a bedside drawer, citing his love for them and begging forgiveness.

His note requested that there be white lilies on Mrs Falla's coffin and that Robbie Williams' 'Angels' be played at her service. He also wanted her to have a nice headstone and that they be buried together because he never wanted to be without her.

The inquest was told that Mrs Falla, 34, had bought him a Beretta 92 gun, imported from Germany, for his birthday. It arrived in the island in March 2004.

The inquest heard that on the afternoon of 23 May, Mr Falla - who had previously threatened to kill himself if she left him - was seen in the High Street looking like someone 'whose world had ended'.

Yesterday, after hearing further detailed summarised evidence into the deaths from Crown Advocate Graeme McKerrell, assistant-Magistrate Cherry McMillen recorded verdicts that Mrs Falla had been unlawfully killed and that Mr Falla's death had been suicide.

Police carried out a comprehensive investigation into the double shooting that shocked the island.

'In a small community such as ours an investigation of this nature touches so many people, not just the next of kin of both Michael and Sarah Falla, but a wide network of friends,' said Detective Chief Inspector Peter Dowding last night.

'I'm quite sure that islanders who did not know the couple were shocked and saddened by the nature of the incident,' he said.

'As far as the police investigation was concerned, a number of officers had to deal in a professional and caring manner with the tragic loss of two lives. The police were greatly assisted by UK-based colleagues who brought in their own area of expertise to the inquiry.

'Thankfully, the last incident of a similar nature that occurred in the Bailiwick was almost 40 years ago. However, this is of little comfort to the family and friends of both Sarah and Michael Falla,' said DCI Dowding.

'Guernsey Police again extend their thoughts and condolences to all those who knew the couple.'

It is understood that despite Mr Falla's request to be buried with his wife he was interred in St Sampson's cemetery and she in Castel.