Heartbroken husband 'killed himself' just hours after his wife of 15 years died of a debilitating lung condition because he didn't want to spend a night without her'

A devoted husband is believed to have killed himself just a few hours after his beloved wife died from a debilitating lung condition.

Adrian Cross had never spent a night apart from his wife Tammy since they married 15 years ago, and nursed her through her illness for nine months.

She died aged 37 at home in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales on October 8, weighing no more than six stone - and hours later, Mr Cross, 45, was found dead of a suspected overdose.

Couple: Adrian and Tammy Cross both died on October 8 after she had suffered from a lung disease

Bliss: The couple, pictured on their wedding day in the Dominican Republic, were married for 15 years

Relatives said the couple were 'completely devoted' to one another, and wrote each other love letters all the time they were living together.

Mrs Cross's mother added that Adrian 'did everything' for his wife and cared for her family.

 

The couple, who had no children, married in the Dominican Republic in 1998 before returning home to Wales for a blessing and reception.
 
Mr Cross worked for Merthyr Tydfil council, and like his wife was an enthusiastic supporter of Liverpool FC.

Mrs Cross, a huge film fan, worked at a local fish 'n' chip shop before giving up work to care for her father, David Allan Jones.

Inseparable: Mr and Mrs Cross apparently fell in love when they met and never spent a night apart

Tragic: Mr Cross is believed to have taken an overdose shortly after the death of his beloved wife

On holiday: The couple used to leave love notes around the house for each other to find, according to relatives

'In all the years they were together, they had never spent a night apart,' said Mr Jones, 65. 'They were completely devoted to each other.

'Their love was so strong that if they went out, they would write love notes to each other. We have found them all around the house. I have never seen love like it and I don't think I ever will again.

'Adrian always said that if anything ever happened to her he would be straight behind her.'

Mrs Cross's mother Phyllis Jones, 61, added: 'We called her angel. You can't imagine losing your daughter before you. I don't know how I am going to cope.

'Adrian was a son to us. He did everything for our Tammy. He looked after her and my family.'

Illness: Mr Cross cared for Mrs Cross as she battled a lung condition for nine months before her death

Mourning: More than 1,000 well-wishers attended the funeral for the couple at a local church

Mr Cross's sister, Yvonne Thornley, said: 'They were a devoted couple and just lived for one another. It's very sad for all of us.

'They were both lovely people and we will miss them terribly. They were so in love from the day they met.'

More than 1,000 friends and family members attended the couple's funeral at a local church on October 21, when six white doves were released into the air following the ceremony.

Well-wishers left tributes on to the pair on Facebook - niece Sophie Jones wrote: 'Love and miss my auntie and uncle loads. Really don't know how I'm going to get over the fact I won't see you.'

An inquest into Mr Cross's death has been opened, but was adjourned by pending the results of toxicology reports.

This is true love!