Relatives of a millionaire businessman found shot dead have paid tribute to him amid reports that he had killed himself because of a looming tax bill.
Lord Howard Worthington, aged 52, was found dead in a field bordering his £900,000 luxury home in the leafy Staffordshire village of Brewood, near Cannock on Thursday evening.
His partner Julie Rees, was discovered earlier at the house they shared with serious but not life-threatening gunshot wounds, and is now recovering in hospital and is not.
Reports at the weekend suggested that Mr Worthington had been found with a shotgun by his side and Staffordshire Police confirmed they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.
The former steel firm owner, who bought his title before moving to Brewood two years ago, leaves four children and a grandson. The self-styled lord had been linked with numerous companies but made his fortune when he sold Wolverhampton based EWS Manufacturing, which produced aluminium and steel tubing, in the mid-1990s.
He was a director of P&H Builders Ltd which he ran from his home in Hyde Mill Lane and also listed as a company secretary for Jules Development Ltd, the catering firm that chef and partner Julie ran, also from their £900,000 home.
But it is thought that he had suffered financially in the credit crunch and was facing a looming tax bill which he was struggling to pay.
The businessman, who was married four times, bought himself a title when he lived in the village of Shray Hill in Telford with former wife Denise in 2004.
While living in the area he was chairman of Codsall Wood Flower Show. He went on to renovate his £1.35million house before moving to Brewood, after his relationship broke down.
Mr Worthington, a former member of South Staffordshire Golf Club in Danescourt Road, then began seeing Mrs Rees, who has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship and the couple bought the canal side home in 2006.
His eldest daughter Layla, aged 23, said: “The tragic circumstances that our father has left us, is a shock. He was a loving father, son and grandfather.
“We request at this time we are left to grieve and come to terms with our loss. ”
