Overview
- The area coroner returned a verdict of suicide after an inquest that examined the circumstances of Gemma Freeman’s death.
- Relatives told the court the couple’s relationship had been 'toxic' and gave examples of controlling behaviour, visible bruising and at least one instance in which the partner told her to 'kill yourself'.
- Notes left by Freeman were read at the hearing and, the coroner said, showed she attributed her decision to the breakdown of the relationship.
- Police investigated, interviewed Alan Cooper under caution and considered manslaughter but concluded the available evidence did not meet the criminal threshold for prosecution.
- Freeman’s family say the no-prosecution decision is subject to a right-to-review and they are pursuing further scrutiny while the inquest record is limited to fact finding rather than criminal guilt.