A married couple described as 'soulmates' were found dead alongside their pet dogs in a suicide pact.
Cassie Collins, 35, and Francis Collins, 36, were discovered at their home in Devon by a family member who had become concerned for their welfare. An inquest into the deaths was held at Exeter’s Coroners Court on Monday June 5.
It heard that three of their five dogs were also found dead at their home in Station Road, Cullompton, on September 11, 2021. Police later discovered their two other larger dogs, dobermans, had recently been put to sleep at the vets after claiming they had been involved in an attack, reports DevonLive.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
Cassie, a student nurse, and Francis, who used to serve in the military, were said to have been together for 11 years after meeting in a call centre. They were said to have a very close relationship and were 'really good together and joined at the hip'.
However, following the launch of a new police investigation against Francis, the couple were said to have been worried about everything being taken away from them. Francis had previously been jailed for throwing homemade firebombs onto a neighbour's drive following a civil dispute over the ownership of a piece of land when they lived in Wales. The couple then relocated to Cullompton in late 2020.
Cassie, who was born in Exeter, was said to have endured many years living in chronic pain due to knee and shoulder injuries that left her unable to work and often bedbound. She was said to be under the care of a pain management team and told her physiotherapist she felt 'trapped in a cage'.
She had been referred to NHS service Talkworks and was discharged in August 2021 after reporting she did not have suicidal plans. She was said to enjoy knitting, crochet, playing with her nephews and spending time with her dogs.
Francis, who was born in Hereford, was said to have been diagnosed with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while living in the USA and had a long history of depression and anxiety, and had made an attempt to previously end his life. He was assessed by Talkworks in May 2021 as having severe psychotic depression with daily suicidal thoughts and was urgently referred to the NHS mental health team.
He told them how when he was 10, his father ended his life. He was noted to be suffering from ongoing back pain, financial stress and was worried about the ongoing police investigation. Francis was put under the care of the community mental health team and was awaiting an ADHD assessment.
Cassie's mum Deborah Coombes told how Cassie and Francis had begun living together in Heavitree, Exeter, and then moved to Chelmsford where Cassie did her nurse training. However, just weeks before she was due to finish she caused further damage to an existing knee injury while exercising.
She was not able to work again afterward or complete her training. After moving to Thailand the couple were involved in a moped accident and both injured their backs.
Deborah said: "Since then is when her really significant pain started. She spent most of her time in bed in agony. She described it as like rubbing sand into a cut all the time." She added: "She regularly rang in tears about being unable to cope with the pain."
The couple then moved to Wales where the neighbour dispute took place. They relocated to be with Cassie's family before Christmas 2020 after Francis served eight months in prison.
She said she had been aware Cassie had struggled with suicidal thoughts but hoped she would not act on them. She said it was her belief that the culmination of pain she was in, their 'troubles' in Wales and the latest police investigation had led to her death.
Mrs Coombes said: "I can 100 per cent 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."
The inquest heard that in the lead-up to their deaths, the couple had carried out a number of pre-planned actions including creating a joint will, sending letters and emails, and having two of their dogs put to sleep.
Cassie's sister Jodie told in a statement read out during the inquest how both Cassie and Francis had spoken in the past of wanting to end their lives. She then received a letter through the post from Cassie on September 11, 2021, in which she apologised for being unable to cope with the pain she was in anymore.
After gaining entry into her home, Cassie was discovered lifeless in her bed cuddling three of their dogs - a chihuahua and two miniature pinschers - who were also deceased. Francis was found passed away in the hallway.
The dogs were described as being like their 'children' because due to Cassie being in so much chronic pain she was not able to have children. Jodie said Cassie had previously spoken about not being able to live with the pain she was in and that the pending police investigation had left the couple 'really low'.
A post-mortem examination stated the cause of Cassie’s death was the combined toxic effects of two drugs. The cause of Francis’s death was asphyxia due to hanging.
A police investigation confirmed there was no third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths. During a search of their home, a video of Cassie - dated September 8 - was recovered stating she was going to take her own life and that she would not be in pain anymore. End of life notes were also found in the property.
Recording a conclusion of suicide for both deaths, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Exeter and greater Devon, said: "I am satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, both Cassie and Francis have taken their own lives and intended to do so."
Addressing their family, she said: "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."
READ NEXT:
