An inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court has revealed a tragic incident involving a mother from Islip, Oxfordshire, who injected herself and her three children with insulin under the false pretext of preventing jet lag. The event, which occurred on 21 October 2025, resulted in the death of the woman’s nine-year-old daughter and serious concerns regarding the mother’s mental state and ongoing custody disputes with her ex-husband.
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The mother, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, died a month later on 20 November, 2025, at John Radcliffe Hospital. Her death was ruled a suicide by senior coroner Nicholas Graham, who noted that the circumstances surrounding her children—particularly access to them—contributed significantly to her decision to end her life.
During the inquest, Detective Sergeant Michael Neath provided a harrowing account of the events that unfolded on the day in question. The mother had convinced her children that they were going on holiday, during which she administered the insulin injections. According to DS Neath, she told her children that the treatment would help them avoid jet lag. This deceitful act led to the tragic outcome that left one child dead while the others, a boy and another girl, survived but required hospitalisation.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene following the incident. Reports indicated that police were alerted after the surviving children, visibly distressed and barefoot, knocked urgently on a neighbour’s door pleading for help. The neighbour later entered the home and discovered the mother still breathing but in poor condition alongside her deceased daughter. Surrounding them were boxes of insulin, indicating a disturbing premeditation.
Additional evidence presented at the inquest revealed that the mother had obtained the insulin from pharmacies in Malaysia, with receipts documenting purchases made over a week in August 2025. This suggests that the mother had been planning her actions for some time prior to the tragic event. The woman’s General Practitioner testified that she had been diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder but had never been prescribed insulin by the practice.
The court was informed that the mother had been embroiled in a custody dispute with her ex-husband concerning their children’s living arrangements. Inside sessions with a psychotherapist, she expressed concerns regarding her future with the children, including the amount of contact she would have with them. In September 2025, she disclosed experiencing heightened stress and anxiety and also mentioned suicidal thoughts, though she did not signal any intent to act on these feelings.
Angela, a psychotherapist who provided therapeutic guidance to the mother, recounted the custody discussions they had shared during their sessions. She reflected on how the mother appeared “vulnerable” and displayed “slightly elevated narcissistic traits,” affirming that throughout their discussions, the mother had never indicated a desire to harm her children or herself. These insights highlight the complexities of her mental health struggles during a tumultuous period in her life.
The timeline of events suggests a deep-rooted distress stemming from the custody battle, which may have compounded the mother’s existing mental health issues. Graham’s findings reflect this sentiment, pointing towards her access to the children as a significant factor in her decision to take drastic measures.
Ultimately, this heart-wrenching case raises critical questions about mental health support and the measures available for individuals undergoing similar stressors, particularly in familial disputes. The devastating loss of life in this situation underlines the urgent need for increased awareness and compassion towards those navigating the treacherous waters of mental health and custody challenges.
As the inquest concluded, the community in Islip and beyond was left reeling from the implications of the tragic decisions made that day. The grieving process will undoubtedly be long and fraught for those affected by such a heart-breaking series of events.