Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing
A ‘loving and devoted’ elderly couple, who chose to end their lives together following a traumatic diagnosis, have been fondly remembered by their family. One family member expressed their ‘respect’ for the couple’s decision.
In March of this year, Lynn and Ian Hunt were found deceased in their Cornwall, England home.
Several months prior, the couple, aged 77 and 81, received the devastating news that Lynn had a condition which would give her only a few years to live.
Before retiring, Lynn served as a PA to the head of children services at the local council, and was diagnosed with a progressive motor neurone disease (MND).
According to the NHS, Motor neurone disease ‘is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.’
The NHS further explains: “There’s no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life. Some people live with the condition for many years. MND can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death.”
During an inquest on December 9, Lynn’s sister, Kerry Todd, revealed that Lynn was ‘scared of what the disease would do to her body,’ as reported by Cornwall Live.
“She was terrified of how it would affect her and how it would affect Ian,” Todd shared. “She didn’t want to continue in that way. She told me she didn’t want any of the care package.”
On March 15, firefighters found Lynn and Ian at their home. Initially, it was suspected that carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death, however, their deaths were later attributed to suicide through medication overdoses.
A letter was also found in the home with details about who should care for their dog, expressions of gratitude to loved ones and medical professionals, and their wills.
Guy Davies, Assistant Coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, remarked: “The evidence is that Lynn and Ian were a loving and devoted couple. Following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, they clearly resolved not to be parted and took their own lives together. They did everything together and were a close couple in life and in death.”
Kerry later spoke about the ‘huge shock’ of learning about her sister and brother-in-law’s deaths.
Despite the distressing news, Kerry acknowledged understanding their actions after learning more about Lynn’s condition.
“The fact they did it in secret without their family around with a bottle of Champagne is a great sadness, but I respect their choice,” she commented.
DC Victoria Swan, the officer in the case, noted that Lynn ‘knew what would happen in the near future to her body’.
She concluded: “Ian and Lynn did everything together. They were inseparable and lived for each other. They knew what the future would be like and didn’t want to live without each other so they decided to fall asleep together.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.