A MUM took her own life the day after her son also killed himself when his best friend died suddenly, an inquest heard.
Gemma Marie Bond, 44, was found dead in a hotel in Telford, Shropshire, on June 25.
Tragically, her son Ben Bond had taken his own life in woodland the day before after he was “badly affected” by pal Jack Gilbert’s death.
An inquest was told Jack died suddenly at home on May 31 after taking non-prescription drugs.
Shropshire senior coroner John Ellery said: “It’s a tragic link. It all traces back to Jack’s death and the effect it had on Ben.
“Sadly there is a link between the three deaths of Jack, Ben and Gemma.”
The inquest was told Jack had taken medication to deal with the effects of a sore throat from Covid.
He was found in his bedroom, with a coroner previously ruling his death was unintentional.
On June 18, Ben vanished from his home – sparking a huge police search.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Tragically, he was found in woodland on June 24 after taking his own life.
The inquest was told Gemma then killed herself the following day at the International Hotel.
Dorothy Bond, Gemma’s mum, said: “She was a great mum, a good daughter and totally devoted to Ben.
“If Ben was still here, Gemma would still be here too. It’s unbelievable.”
The coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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