New bride dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

By Laura Roberts Published: 8:00AM GMT 20 Feb 2010

Katie Haines, between her parents Avril and Gordon Photo: INS

Richard Haines found his wife unconscious in the bath at their house in Wokingham when he came home from work on Thursday.

His parents were also found unconscious in the house but are currently recovering in hospital.

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Gordon Samuel, Katie"s father, said she had been looking forward to married life.

"Katie had been with Richard for five years and was so excited about her wedding. They were the most perfect couple and absolutely adored each other," said Mr Samuel.

"Katie was so happy to be embarking on her life as Mrs Haines and was looking forward to having a family with Richard.

Police are treating the death as "unexplained" with toxicology reports and a postmortem due to be carried out.

Mrs Haines, 31, and her husband, who got married in December, had only returned from their honeymoon in January in which they travelled across South America, including a visit to Rio de Janeiro.

An ambulance spokesman said:"Two other patients in serious condition were taken to hospital. Six members of the public were treated on scene after being assessed by the ambulance specialist team with carbon monoxide reading equipment."

Mrs Haines, who used her maiden name Samuel for her journalism career, had recently started work as a press officer for Oxford University.

Ruth Collier, Head of the University of Oxford Press Office said: "I and my press office colleagues loved working with her, as did everyone around the University she came into contact with.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Katie"s husband, parents and siblings."