A married couple was found dead in their home in an apparent double suicide pact.
Various issues plaguing the couple were brought to light during an inquest held at the Coroners Court in Exeter, UK in June 2023.
A series of planned actions led up to the untimely deaths of Cassie Collins, 35, and Francis Collins, 36, from Cullompton, Devon, UK. These included making a mutual will and delivering letters and emails. According to Cassie’s sister, Jodie, the couple had previously told her about their wish to take their own lives. In a letter dated September 11, 2021, Cassie apologized to her sister for her incapacity to deal with the torment she was undergoing.
The authorities, on entering the couple’s residence, found Cassie dead in bed, clutching their three dead dogs – a Chihuahua and two Miniature Pinschers. Francis was found in the hallway. Cassie had mentioned to sister Jodie in the past that if they were to die, they would also put their dogs to sleep as they wouldn’t want anyone else to look after them. Being unable to have biological children due to Cassie’s chronic pain, the couple saw their dogs as their own children.
The couple’s troubles heightened with the launch of a new police investigation against Francis, who had a history of imprisonment due to an incident involving homemade firebombs. Cassie, who was training to be a nurse, suffered from persistent pain caused by injuries to her knee and shoulder, which left her bedridden and unable to work. Both also had chronic pain from a moped accident in Thailand. The couple’s mothers, testifying at the inquest, conveyed their belief that the combination of Cassie’s pain, past issues, and the current police investigation led to the heartbreaking decision.
The inquest also revealed that both Cassie and Francis had sought mental health services. Francis, who had been battling depression and anxiety, was diagnosed with severe psychotic depression and was under the care of a community mental health team. The police concluded that there was no involvement of a third party or any suspicious circumstances.
The coroner ended the inquest by ruling both deaths as suicides, acknowledging the immense loss suffered by the family.