Gun siege barrister inquest to open

May 9 2008

An inquest into the death of an armed barrister at the hands of police marksmen is due to open.

Divorce specialist Mark Saunders, 32, was killed after holing himself up in his £2.2 million Chelsea flat armed with a shotgun.

An inquest into his death will open at Westminster Coroner's Court.

Police officers surrounded the building on Tuesday night after Mr Saunders fired at neighbours. He was shot before officers stormed the building and found his body.

A post-mortem examination found he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

His wife, Elizabeth, has said she and her husband had a "strong union" and were "deeply committed to each other".

She also denied she was at home with him immediately before the five-hour stand-off with armed officers on Tuesday.

In a statement released by the central London chambers where the couple worked she asked for privacy.

The statement also read: "It has been widely reported that Elizabeth was at the family home prior to the terrible events which led to Mark's death. She was in fact at work, and arrived home only after the area had been cordoned off."

Mrs Saunders returned to the flat the couple shared on Markham Square, off the King's Road, but was unable to pass the police cordon.