MYSTERY surrounds the death of a couple whose bodies were found in the pool of their French villa two years ago, an inquest has heard.

Reading Coroner's Court was told today (February 6) that the bodies of David Shamash, 82, and Diana Shamash, 80, were found on the evening of July 30, 2022, at their holiday home in Gignac, near Montpellier.

Friends had arranged to meet the couple - residents of South Fawley in Berkshire - for dinner, but had been unable to reach them by phone.

The friends went to the villa, where they discovered David and Diana's bodies floating in the pool.

Coroner Priya Malhotra examined the evidence in the case, drawing on the findings of investigations in France and the UK.

Post-mortems conducted in both countries had failed to determine a cause of death - although both found that "traumatic" or third-party causes were unlikely.

There was no sign of a break-in, and the house was found to be in "tidy" condition.

Drowning could not be ruled out, although the inquest also heard that David Shamash had a history of heart issues.

"Minimal" traces of alcohol were found in his bloodstream.

A more significant quantity of alcohol was found in Diana's body, but Mrs Malhotra said this may have resulted from the post-mortem process itself.

A first responder found an electric pool robot in the water with the bodies. This appeared to be functioning "poorly" - though it was unclear if it played any role in the deaths.

David Shamash was a successful property developer, while his wife had worked as a secretary for his companies.

They frequently holidayed at their French villa.

Closing the inquest today (February 6), Mrs Malhotra recorded an open verdict.

She expressed her condolences to the couple's loved ones, stating that she wished she could deliver a more conclusive verdict.

Mrs Malhotra said: "But the evidence, I'm afraid, does not allow me to reach a conclusion, and explain to the family how it is that they [David and Diana] both passed."