Inquest into death of Beryl Taylor, 70, of Rattlesden, hears suicide was filmed

A woman with multiple heath problems committed suicide at her Rattlesden home while being filmed, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

The contents of the recording made during the death of Beryl Taylor, known as Mary, on a camera handed to police by her husband Ian, resulted in him being arrested on suspicion of facilitating a suicide.

The inquest at Suffolk Coroners' Court, in Ipswich, was told that following a police investigation and consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service, it was decided it would not be in the public interest to proceed.

Kevin McCarthy, assistant Suffolk coroner, said: "Any actions by Mr Taylor were, I am sure, of love and no other motive."

Mrs Taylor, 70, died as a result of asphyxia due to inhalation of a noxious gas, a forensic post-mortem examination conducted by Home Office pathologist Dr Benjamin Swift concluded.

The ambulance crew sent to Mrs Taylor's Birds Green home following a 999 call to police by her husband on July 11, 2016, were handed a form on which she had withdrawn her consent for any resuscitation to be attempted.

Det Sgt Michael Gwynn said it was clear Mr Taylor knew his wife intended to end her own life and had, to some extent, facilitated it.

Mrs Taylor was suffering from medical conditions including fibromyalgia, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivities.

Det Sgt Gwynn said: "It was clear her life and quality of life had deteriorated significantly over a number of years to a point where she expressed a desire to no longer continue living."

During the investigation Mr Taylor, who was at the inquest but did not give evidence, was co-operative.

In a statement written before her death, Mrs Taylor made it clear she had reached a decision to end her life because of her ill health.

Mr McCarthy said: "As I believe any wife would, she turned first to her husband of some years standing."

A report from a private doctor Sarah Myhill said even taking an antibiotic had six years earlier resulted in Mrs Taylor being bedridden due to her 'catastrophic reaction'.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr McCarthy said Mrs Taylor had decided her life was no longer worth living.