Boyfriend smothers partner before killing himself 'because she broke up with him'

A jilted boyfriend smothered his partner before killing himself in a murder-suicide because she ended their relationship, an inquest heard yesterday.

Police who forced their way into a property after concerns were raised by Lucy Powell's father discovered both Lucy Powell, 21, and 47-year-old Gregory Duhamel dead. An inquest heard yesterday how Mr Duhamel killed Ms Powell, a mum of two, after wrongly accusing her of cheating before hanging himself in the bedroom.

A note left by Mr Duhamel indicated an intention to take his own life and chillingly added how "Lucy would die as well." A post mortem examination revealed Ms Powell died from asphyxia caused by smothering while Mr Duhamel's death was a result of suspension by ligature.

Birmingham Coroners Court was told it was clear the relationship had come to an end, but Mr Duhamel had struggled with this. When Ms Powell failed to collect her children from nursery on January 27, 2022, her father reported her missing. Police went to the address, where she still lived with Mr Duhamel, dad to her kids, and forced their way inside after getting no response. Officers then made the grim discoveries in the home in the Stechford area of Birmingham.

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Emma Brown, who is Birmingham Area Coroner, described Ms Powell, who worked as a carer, as a "devoted and hard working mum" who still found time to pursue arts and crafts. She told the inquest although she lived with Mr Duhamel, evidence suggested the couple were planning to sell the property.

Miss Brown said: "There was no sign that entry had been forced to the property and there was no sign of significant disorder in the bedroom.

"Miss Powell was a fit and strong young woman. A police investigation has confirmed that Lucy had ended the relationship and that Duhamel did not accept this. It is clear from the investigation that Duhamel killed Lucy and then himself. I find that Lucy was smothered by her partner."

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She added that Mr Duhamel had believed Ms Powell had cheated on him but there was no evidence to support that. The coroner recorded she had been unlawfully killed.

Following her death In a heartbreaking tribute, Ms Powell's family said: "Lucy was a kind, caring beautiful person inside and out and always put a smile on everyone's face.

"She was a brilliant, loving mother to her two young children. She was taken from us way too soon and nothing will ever fill the heart-breaking hole in our hearts. Rest in peace our special girl."

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