The daughter of an elderly couple who were found dead after saying that they wanted to end their lives has called for a further debate on assisted dying.

Dennis Milner, 83, and Flora, 81, his wife, were found at home in Newbury, Berkshire, on Sunday. Neither was terminally ill but both had said that they would choose to die before being unable to care for themselves.

In a letter, the couple, who were longstanding supporters of Dignity in Dying, which has campaigned for a change in the law on assisted suicide, said that they had “chosen to peacefully end our lives”. They hoped to draw attention to the “serious human dilemma” faced by those who wanted to commit suicide.

Chrissy Milner said that her parents had been happy but felt that their quality of life had deteriorated. “We have always been a very open and very close family and were aware of their views on assisted dying,” she said.

“I don’t mean to take anything away from what has happened but I would like to see an open debate, both locally and at a national level, on the whole issue. [It] has been something that my parents were keen to promote.”

In a final letter to media organisations, including their local weekly newspaper, the Milners said: “We have each reached the point where all the finest available treatment and TLC can no longer attain the desired and acceptable level to support an enjoyable and worthwhile life.”

Mr Milner had added a handwritten section which read: “Arranging this so it does not fail has been very difficult and traumatic for us. This need not and should not be the case. I have made many visits to friends and relatives in care homes. They cannot wash, dress, feed or toilet themselves. They cannot get out of the chair or walk. This can go on for a long time — years. Long before we reach this stage, the quality of life for us would be unacceptable, cruel and inhumane.”

Ms Milner said that her parents’ openness had “enabled us to say all the things we wanted to say to each other”.

Sarah Wootton, the chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “This tragic case highlights some people’s deep concerns about suffering unnecessarily at the end of life and the lack of a safeguarded choice. These concerns should be taken in context but are valid. With access to good quality end-of-life care most people will have what they consider a good death but some will not, and it is for those people we are campaigning for a compassionate and safeguarded assisted dying law.”

John Wiles, the director at the Care Not Killing alliance, said: “They didn’t appear to be unwell or distressed but they were anxious about their potential future as elderly people. I think it is very sad that people are fearful about what care they will be provided with when they get older.”

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