A nine-year-old boy was suffocated by his mother before she took her own life after discovering her partner on a dating website, an inquest has heard. Tasmin Paterson, 31, and her son Hudson Paterson were found deceased in September 2024 at a property in the Fletchersbridge area of Bodmin, Cornwall.
An inquest held at Cornwall Coroner's Court on Monday revealed that the relationship between Ms Paterson and her partner, Marcus Hughes, had become strained and was on the verge of ending. Mr. Hughes told the inquest that he had been using a dating site, which Ms Paterson discovered.
Senior coroner Andrew Cox stated that while the relationship had been strong initially, it had recently encountered difficulties, including arguments that were never physical and did not involve Hudson. Mr. Hughes acknowledged that Ms Paterson had caught him on the dating site, leading to disappointment for her.
The inquest heard that Hudson had been unwell the evening prior to his death, prompting Ms Paterson to share a room with him, an arrangement described as not unusual. Mr. Hughes reported no concerns until the following morning when the pair did not wake up. After receiving no response to his calls and knocks at the locked bedroom door, he broke it down and discovered their bodies.
Police investigations quickly indicated that Mr. Hughes was not involved in either death. The coroner concluded that Hudson died from an unlawful killing, stating it was more likely than not that Ms Paterson had asphyxiated him. He also found it far more likely than not that Ms Paterson took her own life.
Family members described Ms Paterson as a doting mother who loved Hudson with all her heart. Her ex-husband and Hudson's father, Aaron Paterson, stated that their separation had been amicable and that he had never had any reason to be suspicious of her. The coroner accepted the evidence that Ms Paterson caused her son's death, describing the events as shocking and difficult to comprehend.
Ms Paterson had also been experiencing health difficulties, including a head injury and subsequent mobility problems, which, along with financial and housing issues, added strain to her relationship with Mr. Hughes. She reportedly believed her partner's behavior was linked to her health issues, though other factors were involved.