A married couple was found dead in their home in an apparent double suicide pact.
The couple had been facing various challenges, which were revealed during an inquest held at Exeter’s Coroners Court.
The lead-up to the deaths of Cassie Collins, 35, and Francis Collins, 36, of Cullompton, Devon, UK involved pre-planned actions, including creating a joint will and sending letters and emails. Cassie’s sister, Jodie, disclosed that the couple had previously expressed a desire to end their lives. On September 11, 2021, Cassie sent a letter to her sister, apologizing for her inability to cope with the pain she was experiencing.
Upon entering the couple’s home, authorities found Cassie lifeless in bed, cuddling three of their dogs – a chihuahua and two miniature pinschers – who were also dead. Francis was discovered in the hallway. Jodie recalled that Cassie had mentioned that if they were to take their own lives, they would also euthanize their dogs, as they wouldn’t want anyone else to care for them. The couple, unable to have biological children due to Cassie’s chronic pain, considered their dogs as their children.
The couple’s struggles intensified with a new police investigation launched against Francis, who had previously served jail time for an incident involving homemade firebombs. Cassie, a student nurse, had been living with chronic pain due to knee and shoulder injuries, which left her bedridden and unable to work. At the inquest, the couple’s mothers testified, expressing their belief that the culmination of Cassie’s pain, past troubles, and the ongoing police investigation led to this tragic decision.
The inquest revealed that both Cassie and Francis had sought mental health support. Francis, who had a history of depression and anxiety, was diagnosed with severe psychotic depression and was under the care of the community mental health team. The police investigation confirmed that there was no third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances.
The coroner concluded the inquest by ruling both deaths as suicides, acknowledging the devastating loss the family had experienced.
