Southport gran took her life on husband’s grave

Photo credit: Warren Smith

Southport gran took her life on husband’s grave as she ‘simply couldn’t be without him’.

An inquest has heard how a pensioner laid down on the grave of her husband in St Annes and committed suicide because she couldn’t bear to live without him.

The body of Louie Wallis was found at the cemetery on Regent Avenue in January, next to the grave of her husband Norman.

A suitcase containing sentimental items and a suicide note was found next to her.

Blackpool Coroner’s Court heard a post mortem revealed the 77-year-old died from an overdose of paracetamol.

Amongst items found in her baggage were a suicide note, the paracetamol bottle and a receipt revealing she had pre paid for her own funeral the previous day. She had not told any of her family about her plans, an inquest heard today.

Blackpool Assistant Coroner, Christopher Beverley, said it was clear Mrs Wallis had killed herself and told the hearing: ”She had children and grandchildren one of whom was a new born baby who will never see her.”
“The tragedy of this death ranks very high in my experience as a coroner. She was devoted to her husband and quite simply could not live without him.”
“They had hardly spent any time apart during fifty years of marriage.”
“His death had a severe impact on her.She needed to be with him and chose her passing in such a dramatic way at his grave.”
Det Inspector Gareth Willis said that a police investigation started at the cemetery where Mrs Wallis’s fully clothed body was found.
He said: ”The suicide letter to her family made it clear what her intentions were.The suitcase was full of her worldly possessions and her handbag was next to her.”

A post mortem revealed Mrs Willis – whose husband died in 2013 – died from toxic poisoning caused by the pills. She died quickly the coroner was told.
Mr Beverley added:”She had clearly planned and paid for her own funeral perhaps to lessen the impact on her family.”
Mrs Willis is now buried  in the same plot at the cemetery where she died.The town of Lytham St Annes was chosen as Mr Wallis’s final resting place because the couple always loved their visits to the resort.

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