An inquest revealed that two elderly individuals, Tony and Phyllis Gilbert, both 83 years old, were discovered deceased at their residence in Kenmare, Co Kerry by their daughter-in-law. The couple had signed their wills just days before taking their own lives in November 2021. Mrs. Gilbert, battling stage four pancreatic cancer, and her husband ingested a poisonous substance, as confirmed by a post-mortem examination.
Their daughter-in-law found a note on the front door of the house indicating their intentions, requesting the authorities to be notified. Upon police entry, the bodies of the Gilberts were found in separate beds, with no signs of physical harm. The discovery of a tape recorder with recordings of the couple’s voices directed the officers to understand their shared decision to pass away together.
Family members described the Gilberts as extremely close, having become more secluded due to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The couple had consulted a solicitor to draft their wills, expressing their wishes shortly before their tragic demise. Post-mortem results confirmed the cause of death as ingestion of a toxic substance.
Dr. Linda Mulligan, the Chief State Pathologist, highlighted the rapid nature of their passing, emphasizing Mrs. Gilbert’s advanced cancer condition. The coroner ruled their deaths as suicide, acknowledging the meticulous planning that had taken place. The case was described as “traumatic” by Coroner Quilter, underscoring the emotional toll of the situation.