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“If I can’t have Leo then nobody is going to.”
Those were the heartbreaking words a mother wrote to her partner before jumping to her death at Beachy Head in East Sussex and taking her five-year-old son with her.
The body of Cheryl Tompsett, 42, from Maidstone, was found at the foot of the beauty spot while her son Leo's was discovered part of the way down the cliff face, both having suffered multiple severe injuries.
Miss Tompsett, a bereavement counsellor, had struggled with mental and physical ill health in the months leading up to her death on June 18, 2018.
During an inquest held by Alan Craze, coroner for East Sussex, in Hastings, it was revealed Miss Tompsett first became depressed in 2004.
She received treatment but relapsed six years later after her ex partner’s suicide. She had also been made redundant.
In 2017 Miss Tompsett suffered a knee injury on holiday and Turkey and this added to her depression.
The inquest at Muriel Matters House, Hastings, heard issues escalated in April 2018 when police were called three times in three days following violent outbursts and arguments with her partner Mark Woodhams, also Leo’s father.
The family became increasingly worried about Miss Tompsett's ability to look after her children and a court order restricting her access to Leo was granted in a family court.
Two months later they came to an arrangement for Leo to see his mother once a week.
However, on Sunday, June 17, 2018, she failed to return with Leo in time for his 7.30pm bed time and Mr Woodhams became worried.
Attempts to contact Miss Tompsett were in vain and his calls went straight to voicemail.
In a statement Mr Woodhams said: “I called police, they said to contact social services.
"I called social services and they said to call the police. I didn’t know what to do. I called Cheryl’s mobile but it went to voicemail.
“I continued to try the mobile phone throughout the next few hours. I recontacted police and reported the incident again. Police then informed me Cheryl’s car had been found at Beachy Head.
“I can’t begin to explain how this feels to know I’ve lost my son. Things will never be the same again for me or the rest of my family.”
A witness saw Miss Tompsett’s car at Beachy Head at around 9.30pm when she was heard saying to Leo they should look at the lighthouse before heading home.
That was the last time they were seen until their bodies were discovered the following morning by the coastguard.
Miss Tompsett had sent three written letters to her family, including Mr Woodhams, and they were received on June 19.
“I can’t begin to explain how this feels to know I’ve lost my son..." - Leo's father Mark Woodhams
Mr Woodhams told police he did not want to open them, but a family liaison officer eventually opened them three days later and they were revealed to be suicide notes.
In one letter she stated: “If I can’t have Leo then nobody is going to”.
Coroner Alan Craze recorded a conclusion of suicide for Miss Tompsett and one of unlawful killing for her son Leo.
He said: “This lady suffered seriously from mental ill health. All reason would have vanished from her.
“In relation to Leo did he fall, did he jump, was he pushed? Nobody saw it actually happen.
“Having read the letter addressed to the family there is no space for 1% of doubt about what happened to Leo.”
If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.
