Mum took son, 5, to McDonald's for Happy Meal before alleged murder suicide
An inquest has heard the tragic details of a “depressed” mother who allegedly took her son to McDonald’s before ending both their lives.
In November last year 41-year-old Emma Sillett bought her five-year-old son, Jenson Spellman, a Happy Meal before driving to an isolated dam.
She filled a backpack with rocks, placed more rocks in her son’s pockets, tied her son to her and entered the water.
Three days after Jensen’s father, Jason Spellman, reported the pair missing, their bodies were recovered from Valehouse Reservoir in the UK.
The mother and son were tied at the wrist.
A Chesterfield Coroner’s Court heard the mother left her handbag in her car, along with leftovers from a Happy Meal and a note explaining that she wanted to end her own life, and couldn’t “stand the thought of Jenson living without her.”
Detective Rebecca Fearon told the court Ms Sillett’s note read that she wanted to tie her son to her because “she did not want him drifting away from her,” and she would “leave a marker” to help authorities locate their bodies.
A child’s toy and a torch were found near the water’s edge.
Ending her note, Ms Sillett apologised to her family for what she was about to do.
Metro online reported that Ms Sillett was depressed after enduring three miscarriages in two years and the sudden death of her older brother.
She had tried therapy to overcome her “traumatic” childhood but “nothing had helped,” Detective Fearon said.
Toxicology reports showed no injuries and no traces of drugs were found in either of their systems.
Mr Spellman told police he was concerned for their son and Ms Sillett’s welfare because she had been “very low” and had talked about “ending it all”.
“We don’t know exactly what time events unfolded but at some time Emma took him out of the car, tied him to herself, then put rocks in the rucksack she was wearing and also put rocks in the pockets of his jacket and they entered the reservoir together,” Coroner Serano said.
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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