A coroner has called the deaths of a mother and her 14-month-old son at their Whitehaven home at Christmas a tragedy of unimaginable proportions.
Loved ones of Natalie Kane, 27, and her baby, Harry, described their deaths in December 2021, as utterly heartbreaking.
At an inquest into their deaths yesterday, Natalie’s brother, Shane Evitts, told in a statement of his sister’s involvement with the Sea Cadets as a youngster and then army service as a driver from the age of 18.
Natalie left the army and also went through difficult times, including drug addiction and depression. But following the birth of Harry, in October 2020, Shane saw an immediate, positive change in his sister.
“She suddenly grew up,” he said. “She was so loving, caring and thoughtful. She was one of the best mums I have ever seen.”
A friend, Ashton Graham, said: “Natalie’s life revolved around Harry.”
By December the following year, Natalie was looking forward to Christmas Day. Shane last saw her two days beforehand during a visit to her Wellington Row flat in Whitehaven. “She was happy,” he recalled.
Earlier that month, Natalie had told a member of the Recovery Steps group she was “doing great” and on December 20, 2021, a test proved negative for all substances other than her prescribed methadone. The inquest also heard that Harry was a well cared-for infant.
On Christmas Eve she went shopping with friend Stacey Hackett — with whom she was due to spend the following day — and was last seen by a Tesco store assistant just after 5.30pm.
But thereafter, messages sent by Stacey went unread and FaceTime calls would not connect. Stacey was not unduly concerned by Natalie’s failure to show on Christmas Day, believing she may be with relatives or spending quiet time with Harry.
There were no further sightings for several days. On December 30, Rebecca Todd, centre manager for the Women Out West support group, contacted police. Natalie had not collected her methadone script the previous day — which was out of character — and Rebecca had no response when conducting a home visit welfare check.
A PC found the door to her third floor flat insecure. He entered and inside discovered the bodies of Natalie, in the living room close to a Christmas tree and unopened presents, and Harry in the bathroom. A bath tap was running.
Next to Natalie was one empty butane lighter fluid canister and several more were located nearby along with two beer cans and empty methadone medication.
Tests indicated butane had been inhaled shortly before her death which, a pathologist concluded, was due to lighter fuel (butane and propane) unhalation. Harry was said to have died from dehydration, probably over a number of days after his mother’s death, the inquest heard.
Summing up the evidence, assistant Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor spoke of an incredibly distressing case.
“What can anyone say?” said Ms Taylor as she offered heartfelt condolences to family members. “The purchase of that lighter fluid set in motion unimaginably tragic events and these have led directly to Natalie’s death and thereafter that, some time later, Harry’s death as well.”
Ms Taylor concluded that both died between December 24 and 30 — Natalie having succumbed to the effect of voluntary butane inhalation, and Harry after being left alone and unable to fend for himself due to his tender age.
“A tragedy of unimaginable proportions,” said Ms Taylor.
