An inquest into the death of Gemma Freeman, a 45-year-old social worker from Darwen, has heard that her estranged husband, Alan Cooper, told her to kill herself. Ms Freeman was found dead at her home on March 24, 2026, after failing to log on for a work shift. Her mother, Sheila Brooks, discovered her daughter's body alongside letters stating her intention to end her life 'because of Alan'.
Relationship described as 'toxic'
The couple met at The Millstone in Darwen in 2010 and became engaged less than a year later while on holiday in Portugal. They married at St Peter's Church in October 2012 and had three children between them, living in a new-build property in Maple Mews. The inquest at Blackburn Town Hall heard testimony from family members who described the relationship as 'toxic'.
Ms Freeman's mother told the coroner: 'It was a toxic relationship. He had been abusing her and I recognised it as psychological abuse.' The couple separated in November 2025, and on March 21, 2026, they met to discuss divorce proceedings. Ms Freeman 'walked away' when they could not reach an agreement.
Family testimony reveals abuse pattern
Ms Freeman's daughter, Lucy, revealed that Mr Cooper had told her mother to 'kill herself' on at least one occasion. She said: 'I saw what he did to her, he regularly abused her and it broke her.' Her sister, Vicky, recalled: 'He would turn off the WiFi and the gas when he went to work. In November 2025 she showed me pictures of bruising to her ear and head and said Alan had shoved her.'
In a message sent to her sister towards the end of the relationship, Ms Freeman wrote: 'He doesn't give a s*** about the damage he is doing as long as he gets to keep control.'
Police investigation and criminal threshold
Police opened an investigation following Ms Freeman's death. Detective Inspector Mark Reid told the inquest: 'One element of the case was about Alan's conduct. There was a question of whether that was criminal conduct.' However, it was determined that the evidence 'did not cross the criminal threshold'. Ms Freeman's family confirmed that decision is currently subject to a 'right to review'.
Coroner Kate Bisset noted that the notes left by Ms Freeman 'attributed the relationship to the cause of her death'. She added: '[Her death] would have to be foreseeable to the person perpetrating that abuse.'
Cooper's statement and coroner's conclusion
In a statement, Mr Cooper said: 'Our relationship was, on the whole, good but it went from one extreme to another and there were bad times which were unbelievably bad. She was highly strung and I'm stubborn. I regret that stubbornness now.'
Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner told Ms Freeman's family: 'The best justice for Gemma is for [them] to live happy lives.' She added: 'She herself attributed the relationship and its breakdown to her death.'
