Mother jumped to her death after girl ‘drowned’

A coroner recorded an open verdict into the death of daughter Keira Madden, who was found dead at her Sussex home on July 3 last year, after hearing it could not be proven whether she had definitely drowned or if it had been an accident.

The child’s father, Steve Madden, told the inquest at Chichester Magistrates Court that he thought there was foul play after evidence that his wife Cathy Madden had lied about having an inoperable brain tumour in an attempt to stop the custody battle going on between them.

Mrs Madden, 40, had developed depression since their marriage had broken down, and had tried to kill herself by taking an overdose in the past, the inquest heard.

At a court hearing two days before Mrs Madden’s death, she had claimed she had the brain tumour and had asked to spend the next couple of days with Keira.

The suicide note, which was read out to the inquest, said: “There was a horrible accident. I was swimming with Keira and she usually rests on my back. I felt her grip go and as I turned over to see what was wrong she was unconscious. By the time we got to the shore she was dead.

“I wanted to bring her home and put her to bed where she was peaceful. I wanted to pass away with her but I couldn’t find the means so I left for Beachy Head so I could be with her quickly.

“I’m so sorry. I love her so much. Cathy.”

Pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki said a post-mortem examination carried out on Keira found that she had suffered no physical trauma and showed no signs of disease.

“One the balance of probability it is likely to be drowning,” he said.

Holding Mrs Madden’s inquest separately but straight after her daughter’s, the coroner recorded a verdict that Mrs Madden took her own life.

A statement from Ross Hardy, a chaplain at Beachy Head, was read out. He described how he spoke to Mrs Madden before she ran and jumped off the 200ft sheer cliff.