An 81-year-old man charged with the murder of his elderly wife has died, police said.
John Sutton, of Hesketh Lane, Tarleton, was accused of killing Anne Sutton, 71, at their home in July and was due to stand trial early next year.
Lancashire Police said Mr Sutton died in his sleep on Friday night and his death was not being treated as suspicious.
A police spokeswoman said: "Police can confirm that John Sutton, aged 81, who was undergoing assessments at a secure mental health ward at Ormskirk Hospital after being charged with the murder of his wife, passed away in his sleep last night.
"There are no suspicious circumstances and family members have been informed."
Police were called to the couple's address on the morning of July 22, where they discovered the body of Mrs Sutton.
Mr Sutton was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and an investigation was carried out by the Major Force Investigation Team.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death was strangulation.
Following his arrest Mr Sutton had been undergoing medical and mental health assessments at Ormskirk Hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.
