Heartbreaking note left by couple before they jumped off cliff holding hands

A couple left a heartbreaking note behind before jumping to their deaths after 52 years of marriage.

David and Susan Jeffcock died after falling from cliffs in Whitby. David had been suffering from bone cancer and the couple left a note which read: “Susan wants to come with me.”

An inquest heard they suffered "multi-trauma” after a final day together they planned meticulously. Their final moments saw them leave their flat overlooking Whitby Harbour, with a note to a solicitor also pushed through the door of a legal practice in the seaside town.

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David and Susan, married for 52 years, smiled as they passed someone walking the opposite way. Moments later they joined hands and plunged 180ft from a cliff. David, 80, and Susan, 74, were found dead on July 30.

The childless couple had made a pact after David, a former taxi driver, became increasingly worn down by his cancer. “It is extremely sad to think of them in that position, where they both wanted to take their own lives and to go together,” funeral attendee Kevin told the Daily Mail.

“But a friend of mine reminded me that they had made up their own minds and they did what they wanted to do, which brings some comfort, it was their own decision.

“They were a very loving and devoted couple but they were also full of fun and outgoing, you'd always find them in the pubs around Whitby enjoying live music, which was one of their great interests.”

Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jon Heath described how Mr and Mrs Jeffcock, who were from Whitby, were found dead. The provisional cause of their deaths was recorded as “multi-trauma”. No further details were given.

Mr Heath adjourned both inquests to a date to be fixed. No family members were in court.

In July, North Yorkshire Police described how emergency services teams were alerted after a member of the public called the police at 7.16pm after spotting a man and woman on the rocks.

With the tide coming in fast, the coastguard coordinated a helicopter recovery to ambulance crews near Whitby Abbey, officers said.

For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.