UK3 min(s) read
Published 17:02 08 Mar 2024 GMT
A heartbroken dad-of-3 took his own life after using his late wife's cancer medicine.
On October 10, Adam Thompson, 39, was found dead at home in Mulbarton, Norfolk, by his father after he failed to show up for work, as reported by Daily Mail.
The tragedy comes four months after his wife Lucy, 44, sadly passed after her five-year battle with breast cancer, after first being diagnosed in February 2018. Around the same time of her death, Adam also suffered the loss of a close family member and his pet dog.
The father, who had run Reality Estate Agent in Norwich alongside Lucy, was his wife's primary carer and "shared her pain" to the very end, according to family.
At Norfolk Coroner’s Court, grieving family members described the late man as "devoted" to his wife, whom he had been in a relationship with for 11 years.
In a statement read to the coroner, his family said: "Adam was loving, kind, and caring; a loving, devoted father, son, brother, and husband. He was very much loved by all, and he always had time for everyone and had many, many friends," per Eastern Daily Press.
They went on to describe him as a man who "worked very hard, played hard," and enjoyed sports, especially golf, and added that after Lucy's death, Adam "didn't know how to go on" after losing his rock.
"Adam was so devastated with losing his wife. He would say he did not know how to go on without Lucy. He just wanted to be with her," they said, adding that they "loved and missed" him with all their hearts.
The couple tied the knot in Norwich Cathedral in July 2019 after Lucy had been given the all-clear by doctors. But in June 2020, she was told she had numerous tumors on her liver, caused by secondary breast cancer.
The inquest heard that after Lucy told doctors she wanted to spend her last days at home, so she was given painkillers which remained at the residence after her passing.
The cause of Adam's death was an overdose, Norfolk Coroner's Court heard. "Adam had access to all of this medication and four months after Lucy passed away, he used all of Lucy’s medication to take his own life feeling he had no other options," the family revealed in their statement.
Before the couple's deaths, they raised £14K ($17K) for the Big C cancer campaign with a series of fundraising events.
Lucy was described by her family as "everyone's hero, life and soul of the party and will forever be missed." They also applauded her bravery throughout her cancer battle and requested everyone to donate on her behalf to cancer charities.
Adam's father, Nigel Thompson, opened up about his heartbreaking in a poignant statement to his son, sharing: "Adam was a gifted and talented person, a loving husband, father, brother and friend who created a warm and welcoming atmosphere to anyone who came into his presence."
"He was such a fun-loving and caring person and would be the first to reach out when somebody was in need. Adam was full of life in so many ways," he continued, adding that his son stayed by Lucy's side throughout her cancer battle and "shared her pain right to the end".
"Each loss chipping away at this loving and caring person. All his beloved treasure taken from him; all the plans, the aspirations, lost. Life suddenly lost its purpose and there was no point anymore," he concluded.
Our thoughts are with Adam and Lucy's family and friends at this devastating time.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
