An inquest has heard that twins found dead at the foot of the White Cliffs of Dover were carrying rucksacks containing the ashes of their deceased parents. Muriel and Bernard Burgess, 59, from Cheshire, were discovered on New Year's Day after falling 200ft (60m).
The coroner, Patricia Harding, recorded an open conclusion, stating that the evidence did not disclose whether the twins intended to take their own lives or if their deaths were a tragic accident. The siblings, who were unemployed and described as 'private and reclusive', had struggled since the deaths of their parents, particularly their mother in 2014.
The twins lived together in a static caravan and had no children. They had sold the family home in north Wales to buy the caravan. A GP they visited in September noted they had 'low mood' and agreed to counselling, but did not consider Mr Burgess suicidal at that time.
On Christmas Day, the pair told a police officer they were out walking on the cliff top. Their bodies were found dressed in walking clothing. The inquest also heard that the twins' deaths are not connected to that of Scott Enion, a 45-year-old ex-soldier who was found dead in the same area after jumping from Langdon Cliffs. The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide for Mr Enion.
