A BOLTON couple who emigrated to South Africa for a new life have been found stabbed to death in their home.

It is believed John and Dorothea Wilson, who emigrated from Little Lever in 1970, were killed during a robbery at their home in the city of Benoni.

The couple were found dead in their home in the early hours of Saturday, August 1.

A family relative said Mr Wilson had been stabbed 15 times and Mrs Wilson was stabbed five times and was also strangled.

It is believed the couple were killed by burglars, but a South African police investigation is ongoing.

Mr Wilson, aged 69, was a former pilot with the Royal Air Force and his wife worked as a senior staff nurse at Bolton Royal Infirmary.

The couple settled in Johannesburg, where Mr Wilson worked as chief engineer for aerospace company Denel.

Mrs Wilson, aged 63, formerly Dorothea Holden, worked as a volunteer for 10 years caring for the elderly in the local community. She then worked with Care for the Aged and the Benoni Hospice.

The couple still had family in Bolton. Nephew, Andrew Holt, lives in Little Lever with his wife Christine. Their teenage daughter, Joanne, was due to visit South Africa in September for Mr Wilson’s 70th birthday.

In a statement, the family said: “This is a terrible tragedy for us to have to cope with. We are just thankful this did not happen when Joanne was out there.”

Lynne Wilde, Mrs Wilson’s second cousin, who lives in Cumbria, said: “They were a very well respected and loved couple who worked tirelessly for elderly people in the community.”

The couple leave behind sons Richard and Philip and four grandchildren, who live in South Africa.