Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
An elderly couple left a heartbreaking note behind before they decided to end their lives together.
David, 80, and Susan Jeffock, 74, were found dead on the rocks near the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby on 30 July.
The man’s nephew, Kevin Shepherd said his uncle and had bone cancer and must have therefore decided to kill himself because he was in pain. It is then said that Susan followed him, as referenced in the note.
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In a statement read at the inquest, Shepherd said: “I was shocked to hear of their passing and in such circumstances. I can only conclude he was in so much pain he didn’t want to keep deteriorating.”
David and Susan had spent much of their life together in Sheffield and had dreamed of retiring to a coastal town. Ultimately, they moved to Whiby, one of their favourite places, where they lived in a flat above the harbour.
The couple decided not to have kids as Shepherd said they ‘lived well together’ and travelled the world on their holidays. David had spent many years working as a cab driver, and Susan aws a secretary at Stanley Tools.
His nephew described him as a ‘lovely man who lived a good life’, having moved to Australia as a '10-pound pom’ before meeting and marrying ‘Susan – the love of his life’ when he came back to the UK.
The inquest heard that the man had been to A&E three times so far that year, including for acute onset headaches and shortness of breath. A police investigation found that David’s health had deteriorated.
As a couple, they had sent a letter to their solicitor saying they planned to end their lives. Reportedly apologising for their plan of action in the note, David said: “Susan wants to come with me.”
Shepherd said that ‘although she was younger’, she ‘chose to join’ his uncle as he added: “That to me shows their devotion.”
A statement from PC James Turner said that a member of the public found a mobile phone and jacket at the top off a cliff on 30 July, looking over the edge to see two bodies on the rocks below.
Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were airlifted by the Coastguard helicopter.
The inquest heard that their cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries.
A statement from Detective Inspector Jenkinson of North Yorkshire Police said it was possible David jumped first and Susan ‘may have hesitated before following’.
He added that a folded jacket had been weighed down by a brick at the top of the cliff ‘as some sort of marker’ showing ‘preparation prior to the jump’.
And Senior North Yorkshire coroner Jonathan Leach said they had no history of mental health issues, but that David had some physical health problems. He recorded a conclusion of suicide for both of them.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Topics: UK News, Mental Health, Health
Jess Battison