‘Devoted’ elderly couple jumped to their deaths from cliffs at Whitby Abbey, inquest hears
A “devoted” elderly couple jumped to their deaths from cliffs near Whitby Abbey as one of them struggled with bone cancer, an inquest heard.
David and Susan Jeffcock had sent a letter to their solicitor confirming they intended to end their lives before they were found on rocks at the base of East Cliff, in Whitby, on 30 July.
An inquest in Northallerton heard Mr Jeffcock, 80, and Mrs Jeffcock, 74, had moved to the north Yorkshire seaside town after they retired.
Mr Jeffcock’s nephew, Kevin Shepherd, said his uncle had bone cancer and must have decided to kill himself because he was in pain, with Susan jumping after him.
Whitby Abbey. Pic: PA
In a statement read at the inquest, Mr Shepherd said: “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 said that “although she was younger, Susan chose to join David”, adding: “That to me shows their devotion.”
He said Mr Jeffcock was “a lovely man who lived a good life”, growing up in Sheffield and moving to Australia as a 10-pound Pom, before meeting and marrying “Susan – the love of his life” when he returned.
Mr Shepherd said the couple decided not to have children and “lived well together”, travelling the globe on their holidays.
He said Mr Jeffcock worked as a taxi driver for several years and Mrs Jeffcock was a secretary at Stanley Tools.
Whitby Abbey. Pic: PA
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 spots, in a flat above the harbour.
A statement from PC James Turner said that on 30 July 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.
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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 shortness of breath and acute onset headaches.
A police investigation found that Mr Jeffcock’s health had worsened, 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 suffered from some physical health problems.
He recorded a conclusion of suicide for both Mr and Mrs Jeffcock.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.
Alternatively, you can call Mind’s support line on 0300 102 1234, or NHS on 111.
Jeffrey Epstein led two different lives – sex offender and celebrity networker – and he did that in the UK as well as the US.
The newly released Epstein documents reveal, in particular, how the paedophile financier ascended into the highest levels of British society.
This photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sprawled across the lap of several women, whose identities have been protected, speaks to his close relationship with Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with Epstein. But the furnishings are even more revealing.
Epstein files – latest updates
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell. Note: inclusion in Epstein files does not infer wrongdoing
Sky News matched the fireplace in this photo with the one in Sandringham, the estate where the royals tend to spend Christmas – (Andrew is not invited this year).
Andrew has vigorously denied any accusations against him.
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Sandringham with Prince Edward. Pic: PA
Also included in the latest release are Epstein’s flight records. They provide some useful corroborating evidence.
A flight log from the Epstein files
On 9 March 2001, his plane landed at “EGGW” – Luton Airport – with JE, GM and VR on board – Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Roberts, better known by her married name of Virginia Giuffre and perhaps Epstein’s most famous accuser.
The next day is when this photo was alleged to have been taken, in London, of Giuffre and Andrew.
Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse in London, in March 2001
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
Other photos show Maxwell on the steps of Downing Street – and power was as much a draw as celebrity.
Ghislaine Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
On 15 May 2002, the flight records show Epstein again arriving at Luton.
A flight log from the Epstein files
The next day is when he met Tony Blair, prime minister at the time. This was before Epstein’s first arrest and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.
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The meeting was arranged by Peter Mandelson, who lost his job as ambassador to the US because of his Epstein connections, and who features prominently in the files.
Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US DoJ
The UK was a draw for Epstein’s wider circle too – Maxwell here is pictured touring the Churchill War Rooms with Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey. Neither are accused of wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton, with three other men. Pic: US DoJ
And the other grim life that Epstein led, of sex trafficking, also had British links.
A page from the Epstein files
Another document released in the files, from 2019, shows witness testimony from Maxwell’s trial. In it, a victim is mentioned who is “17 years old” and who grew up “in England”. She would later be taken to Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
Police have announced a £20,000 reward in the hunt for the killers of a man in north London in March.
Mahad Abdi Mohamed, 27, died after being shot in the head in Waverley Road, Tottenham at 8.45pm on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met, which announced the reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers, said officers believed the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.
Police now want to speak to two people in connection with the incident.
DCI Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is someone out there who knows what happened that night, and we are urging those individuals to find it in their heart to come forward. It could be exactly what we need to locate those responsible.”
Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police
A targeted attack
Police believe the suspects, who got out of a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander, which was later recovered burned out, were taking part in a targeted attack.
On the night of the murder, Mahad had spent the early evening with his friend at their home.
They were breaking their fast outside when the Mitsubishi Outlander approached and the suspects opened fire, striking Mahad and his friend multiple times.
Mahad’s 26-year-old friend received treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.
The force suspects another stolen vehicle, a blue Jaguar, was used to transport the suspects to and from the Mitsubishi.
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The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Police arrested four adult men in March and April on suspicion of murder, who were subsequently bailed.
The investigation so far has led officers to believe whoever killed Mahad set out to hurt someone else in a pre-planned, targeted attack.
Appealing to the public for information, Mahad’s youngest sister said: “To stay silent is to be complicit. To stay silent is to let a grieving mother suffer in confusion. To stay silent is to let a little boy grow up not knowing what happened to his father.”
Pic: Metropolitan Police
The reward, which is offered for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, is available for three months and is due to expire on 20 March 2026.
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