Gemma Freeman, a 45-year-old social worker from Darwen, took her own life after her estranged husband allegedly told her to kill herself, an inquest heard. She left letters stating she planned to end her life 'because of Alan', referring to partner Alan Cooper.
Relationship described as 'toxic'
The couple met at The Millstone in Darwen in 2010 and became engaged a year later while on holiday in Portugal. They married at St Peter's Church in October 2012 and had three children together, living in a new-build property in Maple Mews. At the inquest at Blackburn Town Hall, area coroner Kate Bisset heard testimony from relatives who described the relationship as 'toxic'.
The couple separated in November 2025. On March 21, 2026, they met to discuss divorce proceedings but could not reach an agreement, and Ms Freeman 'walked away'.
Discovery of her death
Three days later, on March 24, Ms Freeman's employer called her mother, Sheila Brooks, after she failed to log on for a shift. Mrs Brooks said this was 'out of character' and she 'just knew something was seriously wrong'. She tragically discovered her daughter hanged at home.
Ms Freeman had left Easter eggs for family members and letters in which she said she planned to take her own life 'because of Alan'. Mrs Brooks stated: "It was a toxic relationship. He had been abusing her and I recognised it as psychological abuse."
Allegations of abuse
Lucy, Ms Freeman's daughter, revealed that Mr Cooper had on at least one occasion told her mother to 'kill herself'. She added: "I saw what he did to her, he regularly abused her and it broke her."
Ms Freeman's sister Vicky shared: "He would turn off the WiFi and the gas when he went to work. In November 2025 she showed me pictures of bruising to her ear and head and said Alan had shoved her."
In a message to her sister near the end of the relationship, Ms Freeman wrote: "He doesn't give a s*** about the damage he is doing as long as he gets to keep control."
Police investigation
Police launched an investigation following Ms Freeman's death. Mr Cooper was interviewed under caution as detectives considered the potential offence of manslaughter. Detective Inspector Mark Reid told the inquest: "One element of the case was about Alan's conduct. There was a question of whether that was criminal conduct."
Referring to the notes left by Ms Freeman, coroner Bisset commented: "The notes that Gemma left, certainly in her mind, attributed the relationship to the cause of her death." She added: "[Her death] would have to be foreseeable to the person perpetrating that abuse."
Lucy said: "There was a terrible example of that when he told her to kill herself in no uncertain terms."
However, it was determined the evidence 'did not cross the criminal threshold', DI Reid said. Ms Freeman's relatives said that decision is currently subject to a 'right to review'.
Mr Cooper's statement
In a statement, Mr Cooper, who attended the inquest, said: "Our relationship was, on the whole, good but it went from one extreme to another and there were bad times which were unbelievably bad. She was highly strung and I'm stubborn. I regret that stubbornness now."
Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner told Ms Freeman's relatives: "The best justice for Gemma is for [them] to live happy lives." She added: "She herself attributed the relationship and its breakdown to her death."
