A mother of two took her own life using a so-called 'suicide kit' delivered to her home via Royal Mail, an inquest has heard. Jane Colechin, 44, a charity worker, was described as 'loving, fiercely intelligent, vivacious and unfiltered' but was privately struggling with severe anxiety.
Background and struggles
Ms Colechin was signed off from her job at a charity after a project she managed lost its funding. This led her to search online for a deadly chemical, which she then had delivered to the home she shared with her partner Sean Gleeson and their twin sons in Forest Gate, east London.
Detective Constable Sam Drury of the Metropolitan Police told East London Coroner's Court that he investigated Ms Colechin's death as part of a wider probe into the substance. At least five people are believed to have died after ordering the chemical online, including psychologist Zara Ampong-Appiah, who died in April 2025.
Det Con Drury said: 'I looked through her mobile phone for keywords relating to this substance and found 1,360 instances of them between 1 December 2024 and 1 January 2025. She also accessed a website providing information on suicide and the chemical, as well as a Royal Mail tracking service for a parcel containing the chemical.'
Events leading to her death
Mr Gleeson had stayed with friends in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, for New Year's Eve 2024. Ms Colechin insisted he and the children go, saying she would have been 'heartbroken' if the boys missed seeing their friends. When Mr Gleeson returned on January 1, he could not find his partner. He left his sons with a neighbour and searched the house, discovering Ms Colechin's body in the basement. An ambulance arrived within three minutes, but she was already dead.
A toxicology report found the chemical present at 46,860 times higher than in a healthy fasted person.
Mental health history
In a statement, Mr Gleeson said he and Ms Colechin had spoken about being together for the rest of their lives. 'We had a great time. I couldn't have wished for anything more. The boys had someone who understood their needs so well,' he told the court.
However, Ms Colechin had struggled with mental health since the birth of their twin sons Josh and Fred in 2017 and spent time in Homerton Hospital's Mother and Baby unit. She recovered, but in early 2024 her condition worsened after she and Mr Gleeson contracted a virus that led to insomnia and anxiety. Around that time, she also experienced workplace stress, and her sleep problems and anxiety developed, leading to a prescription for the anti-anxiety drug clonazepam.
Mr Gleeson thought his partner was improving, but she later experienced further mental health issues, exacerbated by a growing dependency on benzodiazepines. She visited her GP multiple times in November and December and was referred to a psychologist.
On December 23, her mental health deteriorated further, and she tried to contact the Newham Home Treatment Team but was told to call 111. Coroner Nadia Persaud said that had the team seen her that day, it was 'possible' rather than 'probable' that her death might have been avoided.
On December 30, she attended A&E at Newham Hospital with anxiety but was told she could not be seen because the site's psychiatrists only see patients with associated physical ailments. A nurse from Newham's crisis team drove her to the Community Integrated Mental Health Team, but when Ms Colechin asked to see a doctor, she was told she would have to wait several hours. Medical staff said she presented well, was articulate, and denied suicidal thoughts, so she was not considered a risk. Instead, she made a same-day GP appointment, and the doctor increased her medication.
Career and tributes
Ms Colechin held a doctorate in political science from the University of Birmingham and worked as a director for the Youth Futures Foundation, a charity helping young people into work. She advised the Department for Work and Pensions on youth employment.
CEO Barry Fletcher said: 'Jane has been a massive part of Youth Futures since our inception and has been instrumental in shaping the organisation we are today. Jane's passion, humour and infectious belief in the power of evaluation to change young people's lives for the better came across in everything she did. She will be sorely missed.'
Friends raised more than £7,000 to support Mr Gleeson. Friend Suzanne Hu described Jane as a 'brilliant colleague and beautiful friend to so many of us. Her loss is huge, especially to Sean, Fred and Josh who are deeply grieving such an important figure in their lives.'
Coroner's conclusion
Returning a conclusion of suicide, Coroner Nadia Persaud passed on the court's condolences and said Mr Gleeson was 'an amazing support' to his late partner.
Royal Mail said it was a tragic case but noted they are legally obligated not to open items. However, they work closely with police, Border Force, and other agencies and report any suspicious items.
For emotional support, call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch, or go to the Samaritans website.
