Husband dies without fulfilling his final wish to be reunited with the wife who plotted to have him shot, blown up and poisoned

Published: 10:54, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 10:54, 1 August 2026 A brave terminally ill husband who wanted to stay alive long enough to get back with his wife who plotted to murder him three times has died, his family have announced. Ray Weatherall's dying wish was to have his wife back when she was released from serving a life sentence for plotting to have him shot, blown up and poisoned. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015 and given 18 months to live which inspired Hayley and her secret lover – Ray's best friend – to have him killed. The dad survived being shot in the face, a swimming pool heater explosion and a scheme to kill him with sleeping pills and insulin. He was desperately hoping to survive long enough to see her released but has lost his brave battle in his early 60s. His family announced his death this week on Facebook. His son, Sam, posted a photo of them together on Facebook, with the caption: 'Fly high Dad'. A number of relatives changed their profile photos to Ray with angel and heart emojis. Ray Weatherall's dying wish was to have his wife back when she was released from serving a life sentence for plotting to have him shot, blown up and poisoned Hayley Weatherall, pictured, and her secret lover - Ray's best friend - plotted to have Ray killed after he was diagnosed with cancer Ray and Hayley Weatherall pictured here in happier days in 2013 One Facebook comment said: 'Heartbreaking. Rest in peace Uncle Ray.' Another said: 'One of life's heroes. Gone but never forgotten. Fly high Uncle Ray.' Dozens of other people have left comments mourning Ray. Hayley had around seven years left on her minimum prison term before she could be considered for release. Ray's best friend Glenn Pollard and Hayley hatched a plan to be together more quickly following Ray's diagnosis. Pollard's daughter, Heather, was also involved. Heather shot Ray in the face near his home in Sandwich, Kent. But the bullet hit his right cheekbone. Ray was still scarred from the second-degree burns he suffered in a swimming pool heater explosion, which a court heard was part of the would-be killers' plot. Hayley and Pollard also discussed poisoning him with sleeping pills and insulin, and pushing him overboard on a fishing trip. Heather did internet searches on 'Techniques on silent killing', 'Creative ways to kill someone' and '16 steps to kill someone and not get caught'. Glenn Pollard (pictured) was jailed for life after Mr Weatherall endured being shot in the face, a swimming pool heater explosion and a plan to end his life with sleeping pills and insulin Pollard's daughter, Heather (pictured), was also involved. Heather shot Ray in the face near his home in Sandwich, Kent Pictured: An X-ray of Raymond Weatherall's jaw, with a bullet visible Despite the murder plots, Mr Weatherall has stood by his wife and had visited Hayley in prison and in his final interview in 2024, he described Hayley as the victim in the case, saying she had been brainwashed by Glenn The plot was foiled by detectives who investigated the shooting. In November 2018, Hayley and the Pollards, of West Stourmouth, Kent, were all convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of conspiracy to murder. Glenn Pollard was sentenced to at least 17 years and Heather a minimum of 15. Despite all of this, Ray stood by her and had visited Hayley in prison and in his final interview in 2024, he described Hayley as the victim in the case, saying she had been brainwashed by Glenn. He said: 'I want her to come back to me.' When asked if Hayley is still welcome at the family home, the father-of-seven says: 'As far as I'm concerned, yes. 'Well, because I love her. And if it weren't for Mr Pollard, none of this would have ever happened.' When asked if his wife is the victim, Mr Weatherall says: 'Oh, most definitely.' He added: 'Me and Glenn were best of friends, and all of a sudden I found out that he'd been cheating with my wife. 'Of course things didn't go too well at that point. I was sat in the front room and his phone was on the arm of my chair, he was sitting in the chair next to me, and all of a sudden it went off - "love you, Hayley".' Ray still took 200-mile trips every month to see Hayley in HMP Bronzefield, in Ashford, Surrey, and said their interactions were affectionate. 'There has been no break,' he said. 'She gives me a cuddle and a kiss and we sit together, and we always have the family room where it's got a double sofa. 'It's lovely. I wouldn't want to be not seeing her, let's put it that way. I'd feel all wrong.'