A Hartlepool murderer was found dead in his prison cell after expressing feelings of 'shame, guilt and remorse' around the anniversary of his crime, an inquest has heard. Gareth Ian Dack was discovered unresponsive during a routine morning check at 5.51am on April 21, 2025, at the category A prison HMP Frankland in Durham.
The 41-year-old had been convicted of murder and arson at Teesside Crown Court in 2017 for strangling 79-year-old grandmother and foster mum Norma Bell in her own home in early April 2016. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 33 years.
Inquest details
An inquest opened at Crook Civic Centre on Monday, October 12, heard that Dack had been dead for some time and resuscitation efforts were not attempted. A note addressed to his family was found on the table in his cell.
Dack, described as a 'decent' and 'almost a model' prisoner, began experiencing paranoia and reluctance to leave his cell in late March 2025. He had undergone an operation in 2020 and required a stoma but was physically well and not in pain.
Care and concerns
A week before his death, on April 14, he passed a 'chaotic' note under his cell door requesting help. The same day he told prison officers he had taken an overdose of prescribed medication but did not require immediate medical attention.
Supervising officer Cheryl Gunning opened an ACCT - the care planning process for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm - which saw Dack 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."
On April 14 and 15, Dack, who worked as a cleaner, made several phone calls to his family, saying his "head was gone". Area Coroner Crispin Oliver said: "His family told him he needed to take his medication." Dack also told a family member "I think killing myself is not going to be the way" and spoke about looking forward to getting vapes.
Mental health and aftermath
Mental health provision at the prison is delivered by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust. Danielle Richardson, clinical lead at the time, noted that around the anniversary Dack "reported shame, guilt and remorse".
Following a meeting on April 17, the ACCT was closed, though Dack remained subject to the seven-day post review process. He told the meeting his earlier behaviour was due to illicit substance use and cited his family and friends as protective factors.
Dack held category B prisoner status. He was checked at around 8.45pm and again at around 5.30 to 6am. He was discovered at 5.51am, and paramedics arrived at 6.10am, with death declared shortly afterwards.
Ms Richardson said upon learning of his death: "[I was] completely shocked and didn't expect it at all." Home Office pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy determined Dack died as a consequence of hanging, with no indication of third party involvement. The 11-person jury is to reach a conclusion regarding his death.
