THE village of Dunkeswell has been shocked by the discovery of the bodies of a businessman and his wife at their secluded farm in an apparent murder-suicide.

Michael Beck, 62, and his wife Nicola, who was about to turn 53, were found dead last Wednesday.

The couple had owned Abbey Mill Farm in Dunkeswell for at least 20 years. They also had a home in Chelsea and owned properties in Putney, south west London, and Bristol.

Devon and Cornwall Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths.

No weapons are believed to have been recovered and police say the deaths were not related to firearms.

Company records show that Mr Beck was a director of three property businesses and owned several flats in Redlands and Clifton areas of Bristol.

The couple also owned a house near Chelsea FC’s ground, in one of London’s most upmarket areas.

Abbey Mill Farm, along with 58 acres of pasture, bluebell woods and river frontage, had been on the market for more than a year with a guide price of £1.2million.

It has recently been listed as being under offer for £895,000.

Police vehicles blocked the narrow lane leading to the farm after they were called late on Wednesday night.

Detective Inspector Steve Davis said: “We are not looking for any other person in connection with this incident and can confirm that no other person was present at the premises at the time.”

A police spokesman said that the deaths were being treated as a “domestic-related murder and suicide”.

A villager said: “They were very rich people. This house is beautiful and is down a private lane out in the sticks.”

A neighbour said: “There was no real conversation with them. Certainly not with Mr Beck. They were away a lot of the time and they kept themselves to themselves. The first I heard of it was from a neighbour.

“I’d heard there were delays in the sale of Abbey Farm - that the final contracts may not have been exchanged. It’s a small community here. It’s very shocking.”

A neighour in London said that the couple were not often at their home but that she had never heard them argue.