Couple who 'didn't want to live without each other' died in retirement village suicide pact
The family of a husband and wife who died in a suicide pact at their retirement village have paid tribute to the “devoted” couple.
Peter White, 72, and his wife Diana, 74, were found dead in their flat at the sheltered housing scheme in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in January.
They were discovered to have died of a drug overdose after leaving a note saying they were “determined not to carry on in this life”.
At an inquest into their deaths earlier this month a coroner ruled they both deliberately took their own lives and had done so “jointly”.
A family member has now said that the “insular” couple “led a pure life” and ultimately “didn't want to go without each other”.
Mr White’s niece Deborah Allen told the Manchester Evening News: "They were very quiet people.
"They kept themselves to themselves really. But they were lovely people and wouldn't do anyone any harm.
"They were very insular. I think that says a lot about them. But they were very, very close and totally devoted to each other, that always came through.”
She added: "The last time I saw them was a long, long time ago. But we just have the feeling that they were taken too soon.”
Ms Allen, 48, who lives in Stoke-On-Trent, said the circumstances of the couple’s death had left their family in shock.
She added: ”We weren't told initially how they had died and when we did find out it was very close to the anniversary of my dad's death, so it brought a lot of emotion to the surface…
"We know that Peter had had a stroke, and his dad had multiple strokes and he had seen the impact they had.
"And I believe they didn't want to go without each other.”
A joint inquest into Mr and Mrs White's deaths was held at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport on 14 June.
Post-mortem examinations found they both died of an overdose of a mix of drugs, while a police investigation found no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third party involvement.
Coroner Chris Morris recording conclusions of suicide in both cases.
For confidential emotional support, contact The Samaritans by emailing jo@samaritans.org or calling 116 123 at any time.
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