Overview
- The bodies of David, 80, and Susan Jeffcock, 74, were recovered from the base of East Cliff in Whitby on July 30 after emergency teams were alerted by a member of the public.
- In brief hearings in Northallerton, Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jon Heath opened the inquests and adjourned them to a date to be fixed.
- Relatives say David had been suffering severe pain from bone cancer and describe the couple as completely devoted to one another.
- Multiple outlets report a letter left for the couple’s solicitor that included the line, “Susan wants to come with me,” which the family says was delivered by David.
- Media accounts, citing family and local reporting, describe the pair climbing the 199 steps toward Whitby Abbey and stepping from East Cliff, with no final coroner determination yet on intent.