Couple who jumped off a cliff hand in hand left chilling ‘marker’ at scene of death

David and Susan Jeffcock opted to take their own lives back in July, despite having a loving family and home — but now an inquest has heard of their deteriorating health

An elderly couple tragically opted to end their lives by jumping from cliffs after hidden health issues came to the surface, an inquest has heard. The “devoted” couple took to the top of cliffs of Whitby Abbey to jump to their deaths together.

David and Susan Jeffcock had sent a letter to their solicitor stating their intention to end their lives before they were discovered on the rocks at the base of East Cliff, in Whitby, on July 30. It has since been revealed that one of the darling them suffering from deteriorating health, which ultimately resulted in the decision to take their lives together.

The inquest in Northallerton was told that Mr Jeffcock, 80, and Mrs Jeffcock, 74, had relocated to the seaside town in North Yorkshire following their retirement. Kevin Shepherd, Mr Jeffcock’s nephew, revealed that his uncle was battling bone cancer and must have chosen to end his life due to the pain, with Susan following suit.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Mr Shepherd expressed: “I was shocked to hear of their passing and in such circumstances. I can only conclude he was in so much pain he didn’t want to keep deteriorating.”

Mr Shepherd added that “although she was younger, Susan chose to join David”, explaining: “That to me shows their devotion.” He described Mr Jeffcock as “a lovely man who lived a good life”, having grown up in Sheffield, moved to Australia as a ’10-pound pom,’ and then met and married “Susan — the love of his life” upon his return.

Mr Shepherd shared that the couple decided against having children and “lived well together”, exploring the world during their holidays. He mentioned that Mr Jeffcock had a long career as a taxi driver, while Mrs Jeffcock worked as a secretary at Stanley Tools.

The inquest heard the couple spent much of their life together in Sheffield but dreamed of retiring to a coastal town and ultimately moved to Whitby, one of their favourite places, in a flat above the harbour. A statement from James Turner of North Yorkshire Police said that on July 30 a member of the public found a mobile phone and jacket at the top of a cliff, and looked over the edge to see two bodies on the rocks below.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were airlifted by the Coastguard helicopter. The cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, the inquest heard.

The hearing was told that Mr Jeffcock had been to A&E three times so far that year, including for acute onset headaches and shortness of breath. A police investigation found that Mr Jeffcock’s health had deteriorated after he had contracted bone cancer, and the couple had sent a letter to their solicitor saying they planned to end their lives.

A statement from Detective Inspector Jenkinson of North Yorkshire Police said it was possible Mr Jeffcock jumped first and Mrs Jeffcock “may have hesitated before following”. He said that a folded jacket had been weighed down with a brick and left at the top of the cliff “as some sort of marker”, which “shows preparation prior to the jump”.

Senior North Yorkshire coroner Jonathan Leach said the couple had no history of mental health issues but that Mr Jeffcock had some physical health problems. He recorded a conclusion of suicide for both Mr and Mrs Jeffcock.

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