Mum feared dying of cancer before 'killing son and taking own life'
WARNING DISTURBING CONTENT: A mother who was found dead alongside her son was terrified of dying of cancer and wanted to escape her abusive relationship, an inquest has heard.
Banking analyst, Yulia Gokcedag, 35, was found dead in East London, in the UK, after she drowned her seven-year-old son back in August this year.
Before the Covid lockdown, Ms Gokcedag was diagnosed with breast cancer.
During an inquest this week, it was revealed she took her own life days after she was told by doctors she was responding well to chemotherapy, the Evening Standard reported.
Despite the fact she was given a 97 per cent chance of surviving, The Standard reported the mother was “extremely scared” of dying of the cancer, believing she would be among the three per cent.
Ms Gokcedag had told doctors and family members she had thought about ending her own life prior to her death and had said she wanted to divorce her husband, Mehmet Gokcedag.
Neighbour heard shouting ‘in middle of night’
Neighbour Katharina Sellner said she had heard Mr Gokcedag yelling on several occasions and had called the police before over safety concerns for Ms Gokcedga and her son Timur.
“On one occasion, I was woken in the middle of the night by Mehmet shouting,” Ms Sellner told the court according to The Mirror.
“I called police as I heard Mehmet shouting very loudly. He shouted ‘learn more or go back to your country and learn English’.
“I heard Timur shouting to Mehmet ‘please stop, please stop shouting daddy’.
“This was not the first time I heard the shouting. This was the worst I heard the shouting and I feared for Timur and Yulia’s safety.“
According to the Evening Standard, Mr Gokcedag acknowledged he and his wife argued a lot, but said they loved each other.
Ms Sellner alleged Ms Gokcedag was seeking a divorce and on one occasion Mr Gokcedag grabbed Timur by the arm and pulled him towards him, The Mirror reported.
The court heard Ms Gokcedag was dealing with insomnia and anxiety.
According to the Evening Standard, Senior Coroner Mary Hassell determined Ms Gokcedag killed her son, Timur and then killed herself on August 12.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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