An inquest has heard how an elderly married couple agreed to die in a suicide pact after 50 years of marriage, the Daily Mail reports.

In May of last year, Geoffrey, 89, and Ida Platt, 90, agreed to the joint suicide and both took an overdose of pills. After spotting that the couple's front door was left open, a neighbor found the couple unresponsive in their home.

Both were rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, where Ida initially recovered and expressed her anger having not passed away. Her condition then worsened she died in the hospital six days later on May 18.

In a tragic turn of events, Mr Platt survived the overdose and was forced to watch his beloved wife die. He was discharged from the hospital 10 days later - despite protests from doctors and family members.

On July 26, 2019, Geoffrey then waited for his niece and main carer, Janet Jackson, to go on vacation in France before he hanged himself in his home in Swinton, England.

Bolton Coroners Court heard how Geoffrey told niece Janet that he loved her before taking his own life. Ms Jackson also told the court that the couple was a perfect match for one another.

The court was informed of how Mr Platt had struggled with PTSD following a mining accident in New Zealand earlier in life. The experience left him hearing voices and suffering night terrors. Mrs Platt had also struggled with deteriorating health in recent years, having a pacemaker fitted and undergoing operations on her eyes.

Coroner Rachel Syed said she was satisfied the right decision had been made to discharge Mr Platt following their initial double suicide attempt, claiming that he did not meet the requirements for being sectioned.

Despite the tragic loss of his wife, the inquest heard how Geoffory's mood improved after his care was transferred to Salford Home Based Treatment Team. However, his condition is said to have worsened after police interviewed the 89-year-old in connection with his wife's death, according to carer Edward Murdoch.

Ms Syed described the couple's deaths as a "modern-day Romeo and Juliet".

CALM: www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together: www.headstogether.org.uk
Mind: www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus: www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org, 116 123

If you are a non-UK resident, please find a list of mental health charities HERE.

An inquest has heard how an elderly married couple agreed to die in a suicide pact after 50 years of marriage, the Daily Mail reports.

In May of last year, Geoffrey, 89, and Ida Platt, 90, agreed to the joint suicide and both took an overdose of pills. After spotting that the couple's front door was left open, a neighbor found the couple unresponsive in their home.

Both were rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, where Ida initially recovered and expressed her anger having not passed away. Her condition then worsened she died in the hospital six days later on May 18.

In a tragic turn of events, Mr Platt survived the overdose and was forced to watch his beloved wife die. He was discharged from the hospital 10 days later - despite protests from doctors and family members.

On July 26, 2019, Geoffrey then waited for his niece and main carer, Janet Jackson, to go on vacation in France before he hanged himself in his home in Swinton, England.

Bolton Coroners Court heard how Geoffrey told niece Janet that he loved her before taking his own life. Ms Jackson also told the court that the couple was a perfect match for one another.

The court was informed of how Mr Platt had struggled with PTSD following a mining accident in New Zealand earlier in life. The experience left him hearing voices and suffering night terrors. Mrs Platt had also struggled with deteriorating health in recent years, having a pacemaker fitted and undergoing operations on her eyes.

Coroner Rachel Syed said she was satisfied the right decision had been made to discharge Mr Platt following their initial double suicide attempt, claiming that he did not meet the requirements for being sectioned.

Despite the tragic loss of his wife, the inquest heard how Geoffory's mood improved after his care was transferred to Salford Home Based Treatment Team. However, his condition is said to have worsened after police interviewed the 89-year-old in connection with his wife's death, according to carer Edward Murdoch.

Ms Syed described the couple's deaths as a "modern-day Romeo and Juliet".

CALM: www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together: www.headstogether.org.uk
Mind: www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus: www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org, 116 123

If you are a non-UK resident, please find a list of mental health charities HERE.