Terminally ill man survived suicide pact

An elderly woman who feared being left alone after the death of her terminally ill husband died after entering into a suicide pact with him which he survived, an inquest has heard.

Angela Stanton, 74, and Willie Stanton, 79, put plastic bags filled with helium over their heads after learning that Mr Stanton, who had cancer, only had six months left to live.

The couple, of Westbury-sub-Mendip in Somerset, had been married for more than 50 years.

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Mr Stanton did not succeed in killing himself but his wife died, the inquest at Wells Town Hall heard.

Mr Stanton was arrested on suspicion of murder but died of natural causes after he was bailed by police.

A police investigation found there was no evidence of third party involvement, the inquest heard yesterday.

Mr Stanton, a retired hydrogeologist, was diagnosed with cancer four or five years previously and had received chemotherapy, but in the days before Mrs Stanton's death he was told nothing more could be done and he had six months left to live.

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Coroner Tony Williams told the inquest: "In police interview Mr Stanton confirmed his wife had not wanted, as he put it, to be left behind, she had not wanted to struggle on by herself, hence the agreement they would take their lives together."

Mr Stanton arranged for Nigel Taylor, a family friend and former policeman, to come to the house on September 29 2009 so he could find their bodies.

In written statements, their daughters Jennifer and Susan Stanton said they had enjoyed full lives.

They said their mother had been "extraordinarily active" and that Mrs Stanton once said: "Don't be surprised if you get a call and we have both gone," but this was taken as a throwaway comment, the inquest heard

Recording a verdict of suicide, the coroner said: "I accept Mr Stanton's statement that she decided to end her life as a result of his own terminal condition."

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