May Stokoe and James Henderson Stokoe · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 07/05/2013 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of May Stokoe (79) and James Henderson Stokoe (79). The investigations concluded at the end of the inquests on 14 January 2014. The conclusions of the inquests were that May Stokoe was killed unlawfully and that James Henderson Stokoe killed himself.

On the 1st May 2013 at ████████Sunderland May Stokoe was attacked with a knife and sustained fatal injuries and James Henderson Stokoe at the same address by the use of a knife inflicted upon himself fatal injuries.

Mr and Mrs Stokoe had been married for 56 years. Following Mr Stokoe being diagnosed with bladder cancer he attempted to take his own life which prompted a referral to Mental Health Services. Although there were no reported incidents of domestic violence, it was clear from the evidence before me that the relationship of Mr and Mrs Stokoe was a distant and difficult one. Notwithstanding prescribed medication and the intervention of Mental Health Services, there was an incident on 1st May 2013 at the matrimonial home which led to the unlawful killing of Mrs Stokoe and with Mr Stokoe killing himself. An independent review of the circumstances of the deaths was commissioned by the Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. A number of findings and recommendations were made and I was informed that the Trust accepted them in their entirety and that an action plan would be put in place to progress them. I am concerned to ensure that lessons that have been learnt locally are not lost nationally and I should be grateful if you would confirm that steps will be taken by you to progress matters.

I was also concerned about the possibility that carers or partners of individuals who are subject to the provision of Mental Health Services are not formally consulted about the welfare of the patient/service user. Although I was satisfied that domestic abuse awareness was an integral part of training for Mental Health staff, the circumstances of the deaths of Mr and Mrs Stokoe did raise for me concerns that more formal involvement of a carer/partner may allow them to make disclosures which might better inform the assessment process. For example, information from them may corroborate or verify that being provided by the service user/patient. In my view carers/partners may be a very valuable source of information which may not necessarily be disclosed or volunteered by the service user or patient. Carers/partners should have more visibility to the Mental Health Services and domestic abuse involving the elderly cannot be discounted and matters should be approached with an open mind.
I emphasised at the conclusion of the inquests that no one could have predicted the extreme circumstances of the deaths of Mr and Mrs Stokoe and that I was in no way criticising the Trust. Whilst risk cannot be entirely eliminated it would be helpful if you indicate what steps can be taken to improve service provision.
I have sent this report to the Home Secretary for her information as the Domestic Homicide Review Report will be progressed very shortly.