A family of four including two young children, who were found dead at their home in West Sussex, all suffered shotgun wounds, a coroner has heard. The bodies of Robert Needham, Kelly Fitzgibbons and their children, Ava Needham, four, and Lexi Needham, two, were discovered on 29 March, along with that of their dog. Police found what they believe is the murder weapon in the large detached house in the village of Woodmancote, near Chichester. The Sussex force has not given details about what they believe happened but at the opening of the inquests into the four deaths, senior coroner Penelope Schofield said Robert Needham’s inquest may be separated from the rest of the family. She added: “We are keeping inquests together at the moment but there may need for this to be changed. It depends on requests from the family as to whether they want the inquest of the perpetrator to be held separately.” Tributes were paid in court to Fitzgibbons, 40, a legal secretary. Her sister, Emma Ambler, said: “Kelly was a wonderful and special person. She was kind, caring, funny and always smiling with an amazing love for life. “Kelly was a dedicated and loving mother and adored Rob and her two beautiful children. She had many friends and was devoted to her friends and family. Kelly will be missed by so many people and has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.” Discussing the circumstances of her death, the coroner’s officer Melanie Doyle told the hearing: “Kelly Fitzgibbons was found deceased inside her home address. She had injuries consistent with the use of a shotgun, which was also found within the house. The bodies of her partner and their two children were also found at the house.” The inquest heard Fitzgibbons died from shotgun injuries to the head and neck. Her two daughters died from shotgun wounds to the head and chest. Needham, a 40-year-old builder, also died from shotgun injuries, which the coroner said were to his neck and head. Sussex police’s investigation continues into the deaths, which the force believes were an isolated incident. Officers have so far refused to confirm who is suspected of carrying out the killings. The tragedy was discovered when police received a report from someone concerned for the welfare of the family. Just two days before, Fitzgibbons posted on social media pictures of Robert and her children on their “walk for the day” during the coronavirus lockdown. At the time a neighbour said: “There was no evidence previously that there was a problem.” Police are continuing to investigate whether the weapon was legally held. Posting a picture of the children on Facebook after their deaths, their grandmother, Maureen Needham, said: “It was Robert, Kelly and my lovely grandchildren that all died upstairs.” A provisional date for the full inquest has been set for 6 October.