Elderly Concord woman allegedly killed by husband died of ligature strangulation

CONCORD - The 78-year old Concord woman police say was killed by her husband died of ligature strangulation, which is typically the result of a rope or some other sort of ligature being wrapped around the neck.

The autopsy on Marlene Couture was conducted on Saturday by the state's chief medical examiner, Dr. Jennie V. Duval, who also determined that the manner of death was homicide, which means it was caused by someone other than the victim.

Couture was found dead at her residence at 71 S. Spring Street in Concord on Friday, leading to the arrest of her husband, Philip Couture, 77, who was charged with two alternative counts of second-degree murder.

Phillip Couture is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord.