The victim of a vicious knife attack was found dead on her driveway after her husband returned home from walking the dogs, an inquest has heard.
Valerie Freer's hands were bound with cables ties and she had been stabbed in her neck 16 times, it has been revealed.
Her husband of 46 years Derek Freer had been gone for around 40 minutes before he returned home to make the gruesome discovery.
A post-mortem revealed Mrs Freer suffered 10 punctures wounds and had scratches around her neck, StaffordshireLive reports.
She was found by Mr Freer "unresponsive" before "panic ensued" as he raised the alarm with emergency services.
Mr Freer initially thought his wife - who had problems with one of her legs - had fallen and banged her head.
At the time, Mr Freer had no idea how she had been injured.
Police named their suspect as Argentinian national Alex Verdu Munoz who died while being held at Strangeways prison, Manchester, on May 15.
An inquest at South Staffordshire Coroner's Court on Tuesday heard how the Freers, who met when they were teens, had lived in a bungalow in Whittington for more than 35 years and had four dogs.
Mrs Freer was president of the British Samoyed Club for lovers of the breed, which is similar to a husky.
She had a wide circle of friends and was prominent in the dog-showing community nationally and internationally.
DI Ian Fitzgerald, of Staffordshire Police, the senior investigator on the case, told the coroner the ambulance arrived to Mrs Freer within minutes, but sadly she had already died from her injuries. The scene was sealed off and a full forensic investigation was conducted.
Although there was no CCTV around the house there was evidence of a disturbance at the front door and in the hallway with blood found in the house. However, the court heard blood could have been moved with the dogs or through opening doors. It was found Mrs Freer had been killed on her driveway.
There had been previous incidents including aggravated burglary around Whittington in the days prior to her death and a suspicious Peugeot had been identified using CCTV, ANPR and dashcam footage, was seen near the home around the time of her death.
It turns out the vehicle was a hire car from Heathrow Airport and had been hired by Munoz and was later traced to Slough the same day and boxed in by Thames Valley Police.
Munoz deliberately crashed the car and ended up in hospital.
Officers found a knife in a suitcase in the car, which he had brought over from Argentina. It had Mrs Freer's blood on it and his DNA on the handle.
Munoz had rented an Air BnB in Whittington and had been staying there since February 10 and when police searched the place they found handcuffs, cable ties and items used for picking locks. He was arrested and charged with Mrs Freer's murder.
South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Barkley ruled Mrs Freer died from stab wounds to her neck and recorded a verdict that she was unlawfully killed.
He passed on his condolences to the family, describing what happened as "horrific and life-changing" for all those who knew Mrs Freer.
At the time of her death, Mrs Freer's family released a statement saying: "Words cannot even begin to describe how truly devastated we are to have lost our wonderful Val. Her illuminating smile and infectious laughter would light up any room.
"An incredibly beautiful lady both inside and out, she was always so loving and caring to all those around her. Val is loved infinitely by family and friends around the world. She will be hugely missed, remaining forever in our hearts."
