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A mother killed her adult son, for whom she acted as a caretaker, before dying by suicide after learning she had terminal cancer.
The incident occurred in Middlesbrough, England, in October 2021. A recently released Domestic Homicide Review uses pseudonyms to identify the mother, 67, and son, 50.
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“Throughout the Review the agencies working with the family have portrayed June as a loving and caring mother to John,” authorities concluded. “They describe her as being more concerned about how John would cope without her as her health deteriorated.”
The mother, named June in the report, learned of her terminal cancer diagnosis in July 2021. She and her son, identified as John in the report, were part of a “close-knit family.” June’s husband died of cancer in 2019.
John suffered a serious injury when he was 11 years old that required him to have a caretaker. He had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, type-2 diabetes and was being screened for dementia, authorities say.
Investigators believe that John had no understanding of his mother’s health condition prior to his death.
Three days after a party celebrating June that was attended by her family and friends — but not John — the review states that June gave both herself and John an excessive and ultimately fatal dose of prescription medication.
The mother and son were found later by a family member and taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.
The panel conducting the review believes that following June’s diagnosis, she began showing signs of “emotional instability.”
“She was tearful on two occasions reflecting on her deteriorating health conditions,” the review says. “The panel feel that whilst she was in hospital opportunities were missed to consider her psychological and care needs or to share information concerning this with Adult Social Care.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.