Tributes have been paid to the couple from Devon (Picture: Google)
A couple described as ‘soulmates’ died in a suicide pact together alongside three of their five pet dogs, an inquest heard.
Cassie Collins, 35, and Francis Collins, 36, were found dead at their home in Cullompton, Devon, by a family member who became concerned for their welfare on September 11, 2021.
Cassie was found dead in her bed cuddling three dogs – a chihuahua and two miniature pinschers – who were also dead. Francis was found dead in the hallway.
The couple, who met 11 years ago, were described as ‘really good together and joined at the hip’ but both struggled with ‘challenges in their life’.
The inquest heard the couple carried out pre-planned actions including creating a joint will, sending letters, emails and putting two of their other dogs to sleep before they died.
Francis was previously jailed for eight months for throwing homemade firebombs onto a neighbour’s drive when the couple lived in Wales.
They relocated to Devon in late 2020.
He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while living in the USA, had a history of depression and anxiety, and tried to take his own life previously.
He told an NHS mental health team how his dad took his own life when he was younger and the team noted he suffered with back pain, financial stress, and the ongoing police investigation.
The inquest heard how the married couple were ‘devoted’ to each other
Cassie endured years of chronic pain because of shoulder and knee injuries which left her bedbound and unable to work.
She told her physiotherapist she felt ‘trapped in a cage’ despite being under the care of a pain management team.
Cassie was referred to NHS service Talkworks and was discharged in August 2021 after reporting she did not have suicidal plans.
Cassie’s mum, Deborah Coombes, said her daughter suffered with suicidal thoughts but hoped she would not act on them.
She said: ‘I can 100% 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.’
Cassie’s sister, Josie, received a letter in the post on September 11 2021, detailing how Cassie was unable to cope with the pain anymore.
The coroner ruled the couple died from suicide at their home in Cullompton, Devon
Josie said: ‘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.’
A post-mortem examination found Cassie died because of the combined toxic effect of two drugs.
Francis died from asphyxiation due to hanging. He was found to have taken a substantial amount of alprazolam which was ‘likely’ to have caused intoxication.
There was no third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances around their deaths, a police investigation confirmed.
A video found in a search of their home showed Cassie stating she was going to take her own life, three days before the couple’s death.
Coroner Alison Longhorn said: ‘I am satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, both Cassie and Francis have taken their own lives and intended to do so.’
She told the family: ‘This is particularly tragic circumstances and I can’t imagine how it has been to deal with the loss of not one but of both of them.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.
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The coroner ruled the couple died by suicide.