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Tributes paid to couple who died in shooting

A town turned out today to pay their respects to a council leader and his wife who died from gunshot wounds earlier this month.

Hundreds of mourners attended a joint service in Cromer church for Keith Johnson, who shot dead his wife Andrea before killing himself.

There were tributes to both of them before they were laid to rest together. Andrea Johnson was described as a bundle of joy whose smile would light up a room.

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Joint funerals held for former council leader believed to have shot his wife and himself

The funeral's being held of a man and woman shot dead near Cromer. Keith Johnson - the former leader of North Norfolk Council - is believed to have shot his wife Andrea in Compit Hills on the 2nd December before turning the gun on himself.

Mrs Johnson's family have asked people going to her funeral to wear brightly-coloured clothing to honour her vibrant personality. Our correspondent Malcom Robertson sent this report from Cromer.

Joint funerals for former council leader and his wife who he's thought to have shot

Andrea Johnson and Keith Johnson were found dead in Cromer Credit: ITV Anglia

The funerals are being held today of a man and a woman found shot dead near Cromer.

Keith Johnson the former leader of North Norfolk Council is believed to have shot his wife Andrea in Compit Hills on the 2nd December before turning the gun on himself.

Mrs Johnson's family have asked people going to her funeral to wear brightly-coloured clothing to honour her vibrant personality.

Dead council leader had shotgun at his side

Keith and Andrea Johnson Credit: ITVAnglia

A Norfolk council leader suspected of shooting his wife then himself was found with the weapon at his side, a coroner has said. Norfolk Police believe North Norfolk District Council leader Keith Johnson, 58, killed his wife Andrea, 44, with a shotgun before killing himself.

They are investigating possible motives including aspects of their personal lives.

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong opened and adjourned an inquest into the deaths.

He said a post-mortem examination found Mrs Johnson, formerly Chadwick, a customer services representative originally from Corby, Northamptonshire, was shot in the chest. She was found in a neighbour's front garden and paramedics could not resuscitate her, Mr Armstrong said.

Mr Johnson, originally from Sheringham, was found in the back garden of the couple's home in Roughton, near Cromer, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Police believe he used one of four shotguns registered to his wife.

Mr Armstrong said: "It is unlikely there will be any criminal prosecution arising out of this but these matters are now subject to a police investigation on behalf of the coroner."

A full inquest will be held at a later date.

Inquests due to open into shotgun death couple

Keith Johnson killed his wife Andrea Credit: ITV Anglia

Inquests will today open into the deaths of a couple from Cromer found dead from shotgun wounds on Sunday.

Detectives believe Keith Johnson killed his wife Andrea before shooting himself. They were discovered lying in gardens close to their bungalow. Mr Johnson was the leader of North Norfolk District Council.

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Vicar speaks of his sadness at couple's death

The vicar who conducted the wedding service for a couple who died from gunshot wounds at the weekend, has spoken of his sadness over the tragedy. The Rev David Court married Keith and Andrea Johnson in Cromer church in 2004. On Sunday they were found dead outside their home in the town.

The feeling in Cromer is one of total shock and disbelief. I remember their wedding day as an incredibly happy day. They'd both been divorced before and weren't sure they could be married in the church, but they were really delighted. It was a day of great celebration."

– The Rev David Court

Keith Johnson was a former Mayor of Cromer and was the current leader of North Norfolk District Council. He and his wife regularly attended civic events in the area. Mr Court has set up a special area in his church where people can light candles in memory of the dead couple.

Post mortem confirms gunshot wounds were cause of death

Andrea and Keith Johnson
Andrea and Keith Johnson Credit: Graham Lewis

Post mortem results have confirmed that the couple shot dead in Cromer died of gunshot wounds.

Officers from the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Major Investigation Team are continuing their investigation into what lies behind the deaths of Andrea and Keith Johnson, at Compit Hills, Cromer, on Sunday.

Local neighbourhood officers and Police Community Support Officers are still at the scene and will be working with detectives to support and reassure their families and the wider community affected by the tragic events.

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