An inquest has revealed that a mother took her son's life before ending her own in Bodmin, Cornwall. Tasmin Paterson, 31, and her nine-year-old son Hudson were found dead at a property in the Fletchersbridge area in September 2024.
Relationship Breakdown
Cornwall Coroner's Court heard on Monday that the relationship between Ms Paterson and her partner Marcus Hughes had deteriorated. Mr Hughes told the inquest that the relationship turned 'fraught' after she discovered he had been using a dating site. He said: 'We'd not broken up necessarily but we were on the verges, I felt. She believed it was to do with her ongoing health issues, but there were more things going on than that.'
Mr Hughes further disclosed that Ms Paterson had suffered a head injury and mobility issues, and the couple faced significant financial and housing pressures. Senior coroner Andrew Cox remarked that while the relationship had been strong initially, it had run into difficulties and was coming to an end.
The Night Before
The hearing learnt Hudson was feeling 'poorly' the night before his death, leading his mother to sleep in his room, which was not 'unusual.' Mr Hughes had no worries until the next morning when neither appeared. After calling out and receiving no response, he called authorities and broke through the door to find the bodies.
Ms Paterson was described as a 'doting' mother. Her ex-husband and Hudson's father, Aaron Paterson, said the split was 'amicable' and that Hudson was 'everything' to her. He added: 'She loved him with all of her heart... I never had reason to be cautious or suspicious.'
Conclusion
A police inquiry 'very quickly recognised' that Mr Hughes bore no responsibility. Coroner Cox said: 'The evidence of the police is that it is more likely than not that Hudson has died because he has been asphyxiated by Tasmin.' He ruled Ms Paterson's death as suicide and Hudson's as unlawful killing.
