‘Soulmates’ kill themselves and their canines in suicide pact

A “devoted” couple who couldn’t stay with out one another killed their canines after which themselves in a suicide pact. Married soulmates Cassie and Francis Collins had each been fighting challenges of their lives. Their our bodies have been found at their residence by a member of the family who had been involved for his or her welfare.

Three of their 5 canines have been additionally discovered useless at their property. Police later found that their different canines, two Dobermans, had been put to sleep on the vets after claiming that they had been concerned in an assault.

An inquest into their deaths has taken place at Exeter Coroner’s Court this week.

The courtroom heard that within the lead-up to their deaths, the couple had carried out various pre-planned actions together with making a joint will, sending letters and emails, and having two of their canines put to sleep.

Cassie’s sister Jodie informed in a press release learn out through the inquest how each Cassie and Francis had spoken up to now of wanting to finish their lives.

She then acquired a letter by the publish from Mrs Collins on September 11, 2021, by which she apologised for being unable to deal with the ache she was in anymore.

The sister stated that after entry was gained into the couple’s residence, on the day she acquired the letter, Mrs Collins was found lifeless in her mattress cuddling three of their canines – a Chihuahua and two Miniature Pinschers – which have been additionally useless.

Mr Collins was discovered useless within the hallway.

Jodie stated: “Cassie had said a couple of years ago that if there were going to kill themselves, they would kill the dogs as well as they wouldn’t want anyone else looking after them.”

Mrs Collins was a pupil nurse and Mr Collins used to serve within the army.

They had been collectively for 11 years after assembly in a name collectively and stated to have had a really shut relationship and have been “really good together and joined at the hip”.

But they have been each coping with the launch of a brand new police investigation into the conduct of Mr Collins.

The 36-year-old had beforehand been jailed for throwing home made firebombs onto a neighbour’s drive following a civil dispute over the possession of a bit of land once they lived in Wales.

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Devon Live stories that the couple then relocated to Cullompton in Devon in 2020.

Mrs Collins, who was initially from Exeter, had endured a few years dwelling in power ache resulting from knee and shoulder accidents that left her unable to work and sometimes bedbound.

She was stated to be beneath the care of a ache administration group and informed her physiotherapist she felt “trapped in a cage”.

She had been referred to an NHS speaking remedy service however was discharged a month earlier than her loss of life as a result of she stated she didn’t have suicidal plans.

Mr Collins, who was born in Hereford, was stated to have been identified with grownup consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) whereas dwelling within the USA and had a protracted historical past of despair and anxiousness.

He had beforehand tried to finish his life. The speaking remedy service assessed him as having extreme psychotic despair with each day suicidal ideas and was urgently referred to the NHS psychological well being group.

He informed them how when he was 10, his father ended his life. He was famous to be affected by ongoing again ache, monetary stress and was fearful concerning the ongoing police investigation.

The canines have been described as being like their “children” as a result of resulting from Mrs Collins being in a lot power ache she was not in a position to have kids.

Her sister stated that Mrs Collins had beforehand spoken about not with the ability to stay with the ache she was in and that the pending police investigation had left the couple “really low”.

She stated: “I think this was the tipping point.”

Mrs Collins’s mum Deborah Coombes informed the inquest on Monday that she had been conscious her 35-year-old daughter had struggled with suicidal ideas however hoped she wouldn’t act on them.

She stated it was her perception that the fruits of ache she was in, their “troubles” in Wales and the newest police investigation had led to her loss of life.

Mrs Coombes stated: “I can 100 percent say Francis wouldn’t have killed her.

“They were devoted and soulmates and he said if anything happened to Cassie he would kill himself as she was everything to him.”

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If you want a response instantly, it’s finest to name them on the telephone. You can attain them by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org or by visiting www.samaritans.org.