A wife who died in a suspected murder-suicide had recently left her husband after finding a new boyfriend, shocked neighbours have claimed.
Rose Jobson is believed to have been shot dead by husband Robert Jobson, who neighbours claimed was angry and jealous when she said she had met another lover.
The bodies of the long term married couple, both shooting experts who had represented England in competitions, were found at their home in the grounds of a successful shooting range they ran in a remote village in North Lincolnshire.
Police launched a murder investigation following the double deaths on Friday afternoon at White Lodge Shooting School in Thornton Curtis, near the medieval ruins of Thornton Abbey.
Officers said they were not seeking any other suspects into the deaths of the respected and popular pair, who have owned their shooting business for more than 30 years.
Rose, 69, and Robert Jobson, 79, were found dead on Friday afternoon
Rose (pictured) is believed to have been shot dead by husband, who neighbours claimed was angry and jealous when she said she had met another lover
The bodies of Rose and Rob (pictured), both shooting experts who had represented England in competitions, were found at their home in the grounds of a successful shooting range they ran in a remote village in North Lincolnshire
Rose, 69, who was 15 years younger that her husband, 84, is understood to have separated from him after falling in love with a man she had met at her shooting school.
Neighbour Andrew Farrow senior, who lives next door, said: ‘It is very sad. We heard a couple of weeks ago that the couple had split up and the Rose had a new partner.
‘Robert was not happy with the new relationship and we don’t believe it was an amicable situation.’
Mr Farrow, who runs Thornton Abbey Maze with his son Andrew Farrow junior, told MailOnline: ‘As far as we were aware Rose was still living at the house and Robert had gone to stay with a friend in the nearby village of East Holton.
‘It was no secret locally that she had a new partner who she had met at the shooting school. There was a village gathering at the weekend and that was being said.
‘We are all shocked and saddened. It is a tragedy.’
Mr Farrow, a former shooter who had previously taken lessons with Robert, added: ‘The couple had split up and their school had been closed temporarily for personal reasons because of it.
‘We understand he was jealous and who knows what things go around in people’s brains.
‘We assume it was gunshot, and that he had shot his wife and then himself.’
Police were called to the premises – eight miles from the Humber Bridge – at around 3.40pm on Frida following ‘reports of concern for safety.’
Mr Farrow said it was unclear who had raised the alarm. The couple have a grown up daughter Jo.
He said: ‘There is a second cottage on the premises next to their home but I am not aware if anybody was in, or indeed if Rose’s new partner was at the house.
‘We don’t know at this stage but it will all become evident.’
He said he didn’t hear anything untoward at the time, saying: ‘It is a shooting school so you do hear gun fire but the place had been closed for several weeks.
‘On Friday it was raining and was very overcast and dull. Suddenly there was a lot of police activity at the scene and when we heard what had happened it was a great shock. Police are still there today.’
Rose, 69, who was 15 years younger that her husband, 84, is understood to have separated from him after falling in love with a man she had met at her shooting school
He said: ‘It is a great shame. Both Rose and Robert were acclaimed shooters for England, and they had a lovely set up there, running a shooting school and entertaining people there, and they were very environmentally minded.
Of Robert he said: ‘He was always very polite. He has lived locally all his life and many people know him.’
His son Andrew Farrow junior said: ‘We’ve heard that Rose was shot dead by her husband who then turned the gun on himself.
‘It is really sad and shocking for everybody. I only knew then to say Hello to but my parents knew them well.
‘It was known locally they had split up.
‘Our maze and farm is right next door to their property, where they have been for over 30 years.
‘I didn’t hear anything unusual on Friday because we hear gunshots ringing out all the time – it is a shooting school so it is not unusual to hear gunshots.’
Another resident, who declined to be named, said: ‘The couple had separated last month. Rose had a new boyfriend and Rob was fuming when he found out. He couldn’t bear losing his lovely wife to another man.
‘She is a very pretty lady and an accomplished shooter herself.
‘The couple lived in a house in the grounds of the shooting range. Their bodies were found at the front of their home.
‘I don’t know whether she had left the marital home but she had told her husband about her new boyfriend.
‘They are very well known and a well liked couple.
‘The shooting school which they both ran had temporarily closed last month because of their personal dilemma.’
A post on June 03 on White Lodge Shooting School website states: ‘Unfortunately due to personal injury the shooting school will be closed temporarily. Sorry for any inconvenience.’
The school specialises in teaching clay shooting, archery and air rifles, and hosts hospitality events.
One resident said: ‘The deaths have rocked the whole community. Everyone around here knows Rob and Rose. They are wonderful people and run a successful and popular business.
‘They’ve been here for more than 30 years and were experts in their field of clay pigeon shooting.
‘We heard it was a murder suicide. It is tragic and we are all terribly shocked.’
Humberside Police are thought to be treating the deaths as murder-suicide
No cause of death has yet been given.
A Humberside Police spokesperson said today: ‘A man and woman who were found deceased at a property on College Road, in Thornton Curtis on Friday 14 July have been named by their families as Robert Jobson, aged 84, and Rose Jobson, aged 69.
‘We were called to reports of concern for safety at around 3.40pm and upon arrival, the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered at the property.
‘Paramedics attended the scene, but both the man and the woman were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Senior Investigating Officer Chief Inspector Al Curtis, from our Major Crime Team added: ‘Both Robert and Rose’s families continue to be supported by specially trained officers as they come to terms with their loss. My thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.
‘Understandably, a tragic incident like this will cause shock amongst the community, and my officers continue to support local residents by conducting house to house visits to offer reassurance and engage with the community as they come to terms with what has happened.
‘We can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in relation to their deaths. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to our officers.’
He had previously said: ‘Inquiries are in the very early stages to establish the circumstances of the man and woman’s death.
‘A homicide investigation has commenced, and both deaths are being treated as suspicious at this time until we establish the facts.’
In social media posts Robert and Rose stated they had bought White Lodge in1991 and ‘decided to turn it into a shooting school, where we specialised in clay shooting tuition.’
They added: Over the years we have branched out to include corporate entertainment as well as clay shooting tuition.
‘We are a relaxed, friendly establishment where we can give clients ‘the personal touch’ and an enjoyable day out.
‘White Lodge Shooting School is suitable for all levels of experience from the complete beginner to the more advanced shooter with a number of different activities to participate in to make your day with us special.
‘Whether it’s a fun day out with family and friends or a corporate event for valued clients, we provide a warm welcome and a safe, professional environment to enjoy your chosen activities.’
They urge on their website: ‘Fancy doing something different? Come and try your hand at three Olympic sports: Clay Shooting, Archery, Air Rifles and make it a Triathlon.
‘We cater for hen/stag parties, corporate entertainment, children’s birthday parties, one to one tuition and family groups, coached by England Internationals, Robert and Rose Jobson.
Their facilities include a selection of strategically placed shooting areas in woodlands and lakes, an undercover shooting area for wet and windy days and a lakeside lodge to seat up to 30 people.
