Inquest: Woman jailed for making suicide pact took her own life in Peterborough

The 49-year-old was jailed in 2018

Natasha Gordon arriving at Leicester Crown Court in 2018 to be sentenced
Author: Henry WinterPublished 14th Jul 2023

Natasha Gordon encouraged a man to kill himself in 2015 and how now died of suicide, an inquest heard.

The 49-year-old was jailed in 2018 and faced a four-year term after backing out of a suicide pact made with Matthew Birkinshaw, 31.

Mr Birkinshaw was found dead on 17th December 2015 at Rutland water after Ms Gordon “changed her mind”.

Cambridgeshire Coroner’s Court heard Ms Gordon had a “record of anxiety” according to GP records as well as suicidal thoughts.

Police were called to Ms Gordon’s home on 7th January this year after her partner reported not hearing from her for a week.

Coroner Simon Milburn concluded that Ms Gordon died due to “fatal pressure on the neck”.

She had previously been diagnosed with “emotionally unstable personality disorder” in 2017 and scored highly for PTSD after enduring a traumatic childhood.

The court was also told that Ms Gordon had been suffering from “abdominal issues” and when attending hospital in 2022, doctors noticed “recurrent suicidal ideations”.

Mr Milburn said that she had declined “any mental health assistance” despite the “number of ongoing struggles” she was facing.

If you, or someone you know is suffering with their mental health, or experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can speak to your GP.

You can also find help and advice from these services:

-Hub of Hope

-Samaritans or call 116123

-Mind or call 0300 123 3393

If someone's life is in danger - call 999 immediately.

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