A devoted elderly couple killed themselves after the husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
80-year-old Howard and 78-year-old Jacqueline Titterton entered a suicide pact as they didn’t want to live without each other.
The couple, who have no children, were found dead at their home in St Asaph, Wales, on November 13 last year.
As reported by North Wales Live, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, David Pojur, confirmed the suicide at the inquest in Ruthin.
Leaving several jointly signed letters for their friends, the police and their solicitor, the couple wrote ‘neither one of us wishes to live without the other’ in one of the notes.
The inquest heard how the couple emphasised in their letters they had enjoyed ‘a great life’, adding they came to the agreement with neither pressuring the other.
They also attached labels to items which indicated who should receive them.
Planning their deaths, the couple left a key for their house with their neighbours so the police could enter the home.
Their next-door neighbour, county councillor Andrew Thomas, said in a statement the couple had posted a letter through his door which contained a note and £500. He added ‘I wondered if I was reading what I was’.
Mr Thomas described Mr Titterton as looking frail in the days before his death, but added he seemed ‘ok’.
The retired research and development officer with glass manufacturers Pilkington, had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, and was receiving palliative care at home from his wife, a former nurse.
The councillor’s wife, Susan Thomas, described the couple as ‘lovely people’, adding the tragedy had come as a shock.
She did admit she found it strange the day before when Mrs Titterton gave her a park-and-ride ticket for Chester saying she would not be using it.
After reading the note, Mrs Thomas followed the Tittertons’ instructions calling 999.
A close friend of the couple since childhood, Anthony Jones was one of the several people to receive a letter.
He added the Tittertons enjoyed travelling, cruises, music and photography.
Our thoughts are with their friends and family.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm).
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