A jury has determined that Gareth Ian Dack, a Hartlepool killer, took his own life in his cell at HMP Frankland. Dack was found unresponsive at the Category A high-security prison in Durham on April 21, 2025.
Following a three-day inquest, the jury concluded that Dack died by suicide. Dack, who was 41 at the time of his death, had been convicted of murder and arson at Teesside Crown Court in January 2017.
Crime and sentence
Dack strangled grandmother and foster mum Norma Bell, 79, in her own home in early April 2016, before ransacking the property and setting it alight in an attempt to conceal his actions. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 33 years behind bars.
Just weeks after the ninth anniversary of his crimes, Dack was found dead in his cell. An inquest into his death, which opened at Crook Civic Centre on Monday, October 12, heard that Dack had been dead for some considerable time and, as a result, no resuscitation attempts were made. A note addressed to his family had been left on the table in the father-of-six's cell, reports Teesside Live.
Events before death
Described as a 'decent' and 'almost a model' prisoner, Dack began experiencing feelings of paranoia and became reluctant to leave his cell in late March 2025. A week prior to his death, on April 14, he passed a 'chaotic' note beneath his cell door requesting assistance.
On the same day, Dack informed prison officers that he had taken an overdose of prescribed medication, though he did not require immediate medical treatment. The jury heard testimony from supervising officer Cheryl Gunning, who initiated an Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) - the care planning process for prisoners identified as being at risk of suicide or self-harm. Dack was checked twice an hour at irregular intervals.
She noted: "[He mentioned] the anniversary of his main offence and he has been struggling with it... He spoke about work and needing guidance."
Family contact and ACCT closure
On April 14 and 15, Dack, who worked as a cleaner at the prison, made a number of telephone calls to his family from his in-cell phone, saying his "head was gone". Area Coroner Crispin Oliver said: "His family told him he needed to take his medication." He also told a family member "I think killing myself is not going to be the way" and spoke about looking forward to getting vapes. The inquest heard there was no evidence that his family raised any concerns with the prison service.
Throughout this period, Dack reported feelings of "shame, guilt and remorse" surrounding the anniversary of his offence. Following a meeting on April 17, the ACCT was closed just three days after it had been opened, although Dack remained subject to the seven-day post review process. The inquest was told that ACCT procedures could remain in place for varying periods, from several hours through to weeks or even months. Dack informed the meeting that his previous conduct had been influenced by illicit substances. He cited his family and friends as protective factors and discussed his plans for the future, the inquest was told.
A post-mortem examination, conducted by Home Office pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy, determined that Dack died as a result of hanging. She stated there was no evidence of third party involvement. The jury made no further findings.
