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Mathilde and Roger Lamb inquests: Couple fell to deaths in Morocco | Mathilde and Roger Lamb inquests: Couple fell to deaths in Morocco |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A father fighting depression killed himself on holiday in Morocco four days after witnessing the accidental death of his wife, an inquest has heard. | |
Mathilde Lamb, 43, fell 60ft from her apartment window as she remonstrated with revellers celebrating Ramadan in the street below, the inquest heard. | |
The coroner ruled she died accidentally while her husband Roger, 47, took his life jumping down a hotel stairwell in Essaouira on 21 August, 2011. | |
Their deaths orphaned their children. | Their deaths orphaned their children. |
The inquest heard the couple, who were originally from the village of Pensham, Worcestershire, but had moved to Wiltshire, both died from their injuries in hospital. | |
Marriage on 'knife-edge' | Marriage on 'knife-edge' |
Coroner David Ridley at Trowbridge Coroner's Court, Wiltshire, said there was no evidence to the highest standard of proof to suggest foul play, anything suspicious or any third-party involvement. | Coroner David Ridley at Trowbridge Coroner's Court, Wiltshire, said there was no evidence to the highest standard of proof to suggest foul play, anything suspicious or any third-party involvement. |
The court heard the couple's marriage had been "on a knife-edge" and they were concerned with financial problems in the months before the holiday. | The court heard the couple's marriage had been "on a knife-edge" and they were concerned with financial problems in the months before the holiday. |
The hearing was told that shortly after his wife's death on 17 August, Mr Lamb, a geotechnical civil engineer, had been stopped by locals from wading into the sea carrying a backpack full of rocks. | The hearing was told that shortly after his wife's death on 17 August, Mr Lamb, a geotechnical civil engineer, had been stopped by locals from wading into the sea carrying a backpack full of rocks. |
The court heard the couple's children, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were said to have been waiting to meet their father after breakfast a few days later. | The court heard the couple's children, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were said to have been waiting to meet their father after breakfast a few days later. |
'Suicidally low' | 'Suicidally low' |
It was then they discovered he had fallen from a stairwell at their new accommodation, a few streets away from where Mrs Lamb - who was known as Tilly - had fallen. | It was then they discovered he had fallen from a stairwell at their new accommodation, a few streets away from where Mrs Lamb - who was known as Tilly - had fallen. |
The court heard Mr Lamb had been working in New Zealand since early 2010 and there were plans for the whole family to move there. | The court heard Mr Lamb had been working in New Zealand since early 2010 and there were plans for the whole family to move there. |
Mrs Lamb had reservations about emigrating, the hearing was told. | Mrs Lamb had reservations about emigrating, the hearing was told. |
Medical records read to the court said Mr Lamb had had trouble sleeping since 2010 and had also felt "suicidally low". | Medical records read to the court said Mr Lamb had had trouble sleeping since 2010 and had also felt "suicidally low". |
Friends said the Lambs used to have parties and a busy social life but Mr Lamb had recently become interested in living as a "new-age traveller". | Friends said the Lambs used to have parties and a busy social life but Mr Lamb had recently become interested in living as a "new-age traveller". |
Family members said in a statement read outside court that the inquest had brought to an end a "what had been a harrowing period". | |
"We pray that [Mr and Mrs Lamb] may now rest in peace," the statement said. | |
"They were devoted and loving parents who succeeded in bringing up their lovely children, and the future of their children will remain the principal concern of both their families." |