Inquest Details Tragic Suicide Pact of Teenage Parents After Arrest
A coroner's inquest has heard harrowing details about the deaths of two teenage parents, who were found dead in what is believed to have been a suicide pact. The tragic incident followed their arrest on suspicion of possessing an indecent image, with the case raising serious questions about risk assessments and support services.
Discovery and Background of the Couple
Jack Williams, aged 18, and Katherine Powell, aged 17, were discovered by a member of the public at Bothenhampton reservoir near Bridport on the morning of January 25, 2022. The couple, who shared a child, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall revealed that they had met at Kenilworth School in 2018, with Ms Powell living between her separated parents' homes and Mr Williams initially residing with his mother before moving into supported accommodation.
During the first Covid lockdown in May 2020, Mr Williams moved into privately-rented accommodation, and Ms Powell began staying with him three nights a week. They later relocated to West Bay, Dorset, in January 2021, around the time Ms Powell became pregnant, leading to a referral to children's services.
Arrests and Bail Conditions
The inquest heard that Mr Williams was first arrested on November 22, 2021, and then re-arrested together with Ms Powell on January 19, 2022, on suspicion of the same offence. Coroner Mr Allen clarified that neither Ms Powell nor the couple's child were the subject of the alleged indecent image. After their arrests, both were released on bail with strict conditions.
Mr Williams was barred from contacting his child, which prompted Ms Powell to return to her mother's home in Warwickshire. Before leaving Dorset, she spoke to a social worker and described her relationship with Mr Williams in terms consistent with being a victim of controlling and coercive behaviour. She reported that he had isolated her from family and friends, put her down, and instructed her on how to behave in front of professionals.
Missing Persons Reports and Risk Assessments
Ms Powell was reported missing by her family on January 22, 2024, and Mr Williams was reported missing on January 24. When police planned to arrest them on January 19, Ms Powell had already been reported missing from home and was later found at Mr Williams' address in West Bay. After their arrest and release, Ms Powell was taken back to her father's home in Warwickshire and told she could not have unsupervised contact with her child.
Despite both denying thoughts of self-harm or suicide upon release from police custody, warnings were raised about their mental state. Ms Powell's mother told police on January 19 that "she may do something daft like a suicide pact", and a social worker urged on January 24 for her risk level to be raised from medium to "very high risk", which was subsequently adjusted to the highest level of "high risk".
Coroner's Findings and Ongoing Inquest
Coroner Mr Allen noted that Mr Williams had a history of suicidal thoughts, and when asked if Ms Powell was a suicide risk, her father responded, "To be honest, if I was in her position, it couldn’t not be in my head, she’s been through an awful lot." The inquest will examine risk assessments conducted by Dorset Police, Warwickshire Police, social services departments of Dorset and Warwickshire councils, and Dorset Healthcare as part of the evidence.
Ms Powell's parents, Adam and Jane Powell, and Mr Williams' mother, Debbie, are attending the inquest via videolink. The hearing continues, with the case highlighting the complex interplay of legal issues, mental health concerns, and child welfare in tragic circumstances.
