Terminally ill Shrewsbury couple died in likely suicide pact

A terminally ill couple who were devoted to each other died in a likely suicide pact, an inquest has heard.

Robert and Patricia Lloyd were found in their summer house in Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, at 23:00 BST on 1 June.

Their causes of death were consistent with the inhalation of gas, Shrewsbury Coroners Court heard.

Their daughter Sarah Davis, who attended via a link from Australia, said: "I take comfort they are together and at peace."

"They were wonderful parents and were both terminally ill," she added.

"They couldn't bear the thought of one not being there. I miss them every day."

Mr Lloyd, 84, had lung cancer, which was discovered on an X-ray following a crash, while Mrs Lloyd, 80, had dementia and a brain tumour.

Giving evidence at the inquest on Wednesday, Det Con Sarah Smither from West Mercia Police said Mrs Lloyd was picked up by her husband from Bowbrook House care home on 1 June - something that happened frequently.

However Mr Lloyd, a retired police sergeant from Birmingham, failed to return her by 18:00.

A care worker and her husband found the couple locked in a summer house at their home on Newbrook Drive about five hours later.

There was no sign of injury or trauma or that anyone else was involved, police said.

Mrs Davis said her parents' summer house was "beloved" and "brought them so much joy", as it had windows to look out on to the garden.

The coroners court heard how Mrs Lloyd had always said she had wanted to die around family.

She was due to be moved to a nursing home on 2 June as the care home could no longer provide the care she needed.

Mrs Davis said she spoke to her parents via Facetime at 11:00 on 1 June and they both seemed very positive.

Mrs Lloyd, who was a retired teaching assistant born in Hereford, was particularly happy and lucid, her daughter said.

Due to her mother's mood, Mrs Davis decided to record the Facetime conversation.

"In hindsight I believe my mum knew it was the last time we'd speak," Mrs Davis said.

Det Con Smither reviewed the footage after the deaths and agreed Mrs Lloyd was happy and lucid.

Senior Coroner John Ellery concluded Mr Lloyd had died as a result of suicide.

However, he recorded a narrative verdict in relation to Mrs Lloyd's death, with the inquest hearing she died with her husband during a lucid interval.

"They loved each other unconditionally," Mrs Davis said.

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