An inquest has heard that a mother suffocated her nine-year-old son and then took her own life at their home in Cornwall. The bodies of Tasmin Paterson, 31, and her son Hudson Paterson were found at a property in the Fletchersbridge area of Bodmin in September 2024.
Relationship breakdown revealed
The inquest at Cornwall Coroner's Court on Monday heard that there had been a breakdown in the relationship between Ms Paterson and her partner Marcus Hughes. He discovered the mother and son dead in a locked bedroom. Ms Paterson had previously separated from Hudson's father in an amicable split, but her relationship with Mr Hughes had grown fraught after she caught him on a dating site.
Mr Hughes told the inquest: "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." He added that Ms Paterson had suffered a head injury and subsequent mobility problems, and that financial and housing issues had put further pressure on their relationship.
Coroner's findings
Senior coroner Andrew Cox said: "Mr Hughes was Tasmin's partner at the time of her death and he accepted that, while their relationship had been good and healthy and strong at the outset, that more recently it had run into difficulties. There had been arguments, never anything physical and never involving Hudson, but I think it's fair to say… that relationship was coming to an end."
Mr Cox noted that Mr Hughes accepted Ms Paterson had caught him on a dating site, adding: "From Tasmin's perspective, the relationship had not worked out how she had hoped, with all the disappointment and regret that comes with that."
Final hours
The inquest heard that Hudson was "poorly" the evening before he died, and his mother said she would share a room with him, which was not an unusual arrangement. Mr Hughes said he had no concerns until the following morning when the pair had not woken up. He knocked and shouted their names from the locked bedroom door and became increasingly worried when there was no reply. He called the police and broke down the door before finding the bodies inside.
Family tributes
Ms Paterson was described as a "doting" mother. Aaron Paterson, her ex-husband and Hudson's father, said the nine-year-old had been "everything" to his mother. "She loved him with all of her heart and Hudson was her everything," he said. "She never hurt him, never raised a hand to him, never screamed in his ear or anything along those lines. I never had reason to be cautious or suspicious."
Paying tribute to his son, Paterson said: "The grief we feel for the loss of a son, my son, stepson, nephew, and grandson cannot be understated. Hudson was a quiet but cheeky chappy, who's love for cars was as big as the love for his family and friends. Hudson was adored, loved, cherished, and everyday brought a smile to those that he loved and loved him. Hudson no longer being here is truly devastating for me as his dad and my family. It's soul destroying and the grief is unimaginable. I thank those for the messages of love and support, we would appreciate respect and privacy for Hudson and my family during this heartbreaking time."
Tasmin's family paid tribute saying: "Tasmin was very much loved and will be missed by those who loved her. Our hearts are broken to lose a daughter and a beautiful grandson, who was the light of our lives. Life will never be the same again." Mr Hughes and his family said: "Tasmin had been a shining star who had left an overwhelming legacy of love and positivity on their lives and that they were privileged to have known her and would always continue to cherish her memory."
Police investigation and conclusion
An investigation by police "very quickly recognised" Mr Hughes had not been involved in either death, the coroner said. Mr Cox stated: "The evidence of the police is that it is more likely than not that Hudson has died because he has been asphyxiated by Tasmin. That is a shocking turn of events, it is difficult to comprehend but I accept that evidence and as a matter of fact I find that is what has happened. It is far more likely than not that Tasmin has taken her own life and intended to do so." He concluded that Ms Paterson's death resulted from suicide, and that Hudson died from an unlawful killing.
