AN 81-year-old woman died because of blunt force trauma to the head, an inquest heard today. 

Jean Chapman, 81, of Vista Road, Clacton, died in her home on Monday.

Her husband, John Chapman, 71, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Count on Wednesday charged with the murder of his wife.

An inquest at Chelmsford's coroners office today revealed that Mrs Chapman died due to blunt force trauma to the head.

Coroners Officer, Jonathan Hall, said: "The emergency services attended the scene and members of Essex Police and found her on her bedroom floor.

"At 6.30pm it was recognised by paramedics that death had occurred.

"A forensic post mortem examination has been conducted by Dr Charlotte Randall who had given provisional cause of death as 1A blunt force trauma to the head."

A trial is expected to take place in November.