Mum 'suffocated son and took her own life' after relationship breakdown, inquest hears

Mum 'suffocated son and took her own life' after relationship breakdown, inquest hears The bodies of Tasmin Paterson, 31, and her nine-year-old son Hudson Paterson were found at a property in the Fletchersbridge area of Bodmin, Cornwall, in September 2024. An inquest into their deaths revealed that the mother had suffocated her child and then taken her own life following a deteriorating relationship with her partner, Marcus Hughes. According to the inquest, the couple had lived together at the property in Bodmin. Their relationship had become strained after Ms Paterson discovered Mr Hughes using a dating site. The inquest heard that the pair had not officially ended their relationship, though they were on the verge of doing so. Mr Hughes admitted that their bond had weakened over time, despite having been strong and healthy at the start. Ms Paterson had previously separated from Hudson’s father, Aaron Paterson, in an amicable split. She had been living with Mr Hughes, but their relationship grew fraught. Mr Hughes stated that he felt the relationship was on the edge, and Ms Paterson believed the issues stemmed from her ongoing health problems. However, he noted that other factors contributed to the tension, including financial and housing challenges. The inquest was told that Ms Paterson had sustained a head injury and faced mobility issues. These conditions, combined with the strain on their relationship, placed additional stress on the household. Mr Hughes confirmed that there had been arguments, but none had ever escalated to physical violence, nor had Hudson been involved in any conflicts. On the night of the incident, Hudson was described as "poorly" and his mother decided to sleep with him in the same room. This was not considered unusual. Mr Hughes expressed no concern about the arrangement until the following morning, when neither parent woke up. He knocked on the bedroom door, called out their names, and became increasingly alarmed when there was no response. After calling the police, Mr Hughes forced open the door and discovered the bodies of Ms Paterson and Hudson inside. The coroner, Andrew Cox, concluded that the relationship between Ms Paterson and Mr Hughes had been in decline, with arguments occurring but no physical altercations. He acknowledged that Ms Paterson had caught Mr Hughes on a dating site, leading to disappointment and regret on her part. Family members described Ms Paterson as a "doting" mother who had never harmed her son. Her ex-husband, Aaron Paterson, spoke of the deep sorrow felt by the family. He said that Hudson had been "everything" to his mother and that she had never physically harmed him. He emphasized that there had been no cause for suspicion or caution. Aaron Paterson paid tribute to his son, describing him as a "quiet but cheeky chappy" whose love for cars matched his affection for family and friends. He said the loss of Hudson was deeply painful, and the grief was beyond comprehension. He thanked those who offered condolences and requested respect and privacy for the family during this difficult period. Tasmin’s family also mourned the loss, expressing that she was deeply loved and will be missed. They described Hudson as the "light of their lives" and acknowledged that life would never be the same without him. Mr Hughes and his family praised Tasmin for the positive impact she had on their lives, noting that she had left behind a lasting legacy of love and kindness.