Harley Street dentist Stephen Nicoll cleared over wife's death

A top London dentist cleared over the killing of his wife revealed she took her own life.

Stephen Nicoll, 53, was initially arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife Helen at their home in Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, but was told by police no charges would be pressed against him.

Speaking publicly for the first time today, (10 June), Nicoll said in an emotional statement: "These last few days have been the worst of my life. Nobody can understand the true loss that my children and I have experienced following the discovery that my wife Helen has taken her own life.

"We have fully co-operated with the police investigation and the matter has now been referred to the coroner."

A post-mortem examination revealed his wife died from asphyxiation. Her death is now being treated as "unexplained" and further tests are set to be carried out to determine her cause of death. An inquest will be held at Huntingdon Coroner's Court on Friday.

She was found dead at their £1.5 million home last Friday morning. Her 21-year-old and 17-year-old daughters, and 15-year-old son were present when a loud thud was heard at the property before she was discovered. Police have ruled out any connection to her death as there was "thundery activity" in the area at that time.

His solicitor Paul Oliver, from Stokoe Partnership, said: "The police have confirmed Mr Nicoll is not a suspect and he and his family now ask that their right to grieve in private be respected."

Nicoll was a partner with her husband at the Hunts Park private dental practice in Cambridge in 1990 after having a career in oral surgery. Her husband also has a private clinic in Harley Street, where he specialises in implant dentistry.

Neighbours were in shock about her death, Katrina Mapeldoram said: "I heard a loud bang like an explosion and rushed outside. The weather was clear and there was no lightning. The horses were going mental and the chickens went berserk. I don't know if it had anything to do with what happened but it is a really strange coincidence. We didn't really know the couple who live in the house. They kept themselves to themselves. It is terrible."