The bodies of Claire White, 32, and her long-term partner Mark Martin Sinton, 42, were discovered by the man’s mother as details emerge about the heartbreaking find
A tragic couple were found dead next to each other in bed with a positive pregnancy test alongside them.
Claire White, 32, and her long-term partner Mark Martin Sinton, 42, were found together at their home in February by Mark’s mother. The pair, who had four children and had been together for 17 years, were discovered lying on top of each other in a state of undress, an inquest into their death has heard.
The hearing at Sheffield Medico Legal Centre was told how Claire and Mark, from Barnsley, Yorkshire, had a history of intravenous drug use, including heroin, cocaine and methadone. Assistant Coroner Nathalie James told the court the couple, who lived with Mark’s mother, had returned home from the town centre at around 5pm the previous afternoon.
Assistant Coroner Nathalie James told the court the couple did not speak to Mark’s mother but went upstairs where they slept. The mother discovered their bodies the next day when she realised their coats had not moved.
In her statement to the court, Mark’s mother said: “Mark had been in a relationship with Claire since 2007, and they had four children together. Mark has been in and out of prison since 16 and was a heavy drug user. They came to live with me after my husband died several years ago.”
The court heard Mark’s mother found the pair lying on the floor in a state of undress when she went to check on them. She told the court: “I went back into the room at around 3.15pm and found them. I shouted at them, but they didn’t respond. I knew they were dead. I didn’t see their faces.” The ambulance services and police were called, but they were both declared dead at 4.16pm. The police also found a positive pregnancy test at the scene, as well as a crack pipe and other drug paraphernalia, the inquest heard.
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