Barnaby’s wife, Joyce, was not a victim of any crime in “Midsomer Murders”; she simply left the show when John Nettles retired from his role as Tom Barnaby.
In the British television series “Midsomer Murders,” DCI Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles, is married to Joyce Barnaby, portrayed by Jane Wymark. Throughout the series, Joyce is known for her community involvement, her cooking, and her uncanny tendency to become involved in the local mysteries that her husband is investigating. However, unlike many characters in the series who meet untimely ends due to the high crime rate in the fictional county of Midsomer, Joyce Barnaby does not fall victim to any violent crime.
The departure of Joyce from the show is tied to the retirement of John Nettles from his role in 2011. After Nettles left the series, his character was replaced by a new character, DCI John Barnaby, played by Neil Dudgeon, who is Tom Barnaby’s cousin. Consequently, Joyce’s character was written out of the show as well, as the focus shifted to the new Barnaby and his family. The transition was handled within the narrative of the show, and there was no dramatic exit for Joyce; the character simply stopped appearing as the storyline moved on to follow the new protagonist.