Elderly couple's suicide pact before cliff deaths

The man and woman were found at the bottom of cliffs close to Whitby Abbey

An elderly couple jumped to their deaths from a cliff in Whitby as one of them was suffering with deteriorating health, an inquest has heard.

David and Susan Jeffcock, who had retired to the North Yorkshire seaside town, were found on rocks at the base of East Cliff on 30 July.

An inquest in Northallerton heard the couple had sent a letter to their solicitor confirming they intended to end their lives.

Mr Jeffcock's nephew, Kevin Shepherd, said his 80-year-old uncle had bone cancer and must have decided to take his life because he was in pain, with Mrs Jeffcock, 74, following him.

In a statement read at the inquest, Mr Shepherd said: "I was shocked to hear of their passing and in such circumstances.

"I can only conclude he was in so much pain he didn't want to keep deteriorating."

Mr Shepherd explained that "although she was younger, Susan chose to join David," adding: "That to me shows their devotion."

Mr Jeffcock was described as a "lovely man who lived a good life", who grew up in Sheffield and moved to Australia as a "10-pound pom".

He met and married the "love of his life" Mrs Jeffcock when he returned and the pair travelled the world on their holidays.

Mr Shepherd said Mr Jeffcock had worked as a taxi driver for many years and Mrs Jeffcock had been a secretary at Stanley Tools.

The inquest heard the couple spent much of their life together in Sheffield but dreamed of retiring to a coastal town and ultimately moved to Whitby, one of their favourite places, in a flat above the harbour.

'No mental health issues'

A statement from PC James Turner said that on 30 July a member of the public found a mobile phone and jacket at the top of a cliff, and looked over the edge to see two bodies on the rocks below.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were airlifted by the Coastguard helicopter.

The cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, the inquest heard.

Mr Jeffcock had been to A&E three times so far that year, including for acute onset headaches and shortness of breath.

A police investigation found that his health had deteriorated, and the couple had sent a letter to their solicitor saying they planned to end their lives.

Det Insp Jenkinson of North Yorkshire Police said it was possible Mr Jeffcock jumped first and Mrs Jeffcock "may have hesitated before following".

Senior North Yorkshire coroner Jonathan Leach said the couple had no history of mental health issues but that Mr Jeffcock had some physical health problems.

He recorded a conclusion of suicide for both Mr and Mrs Jeffcock.

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