A tragic incident unfolded as an elderly couple, Tony and Phyllis Gilbert, aged 83, were discovered lifeless in their residence in Dromneavane, Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, on November 14, 2021. The couple’s daughter-in-law, Beryl Gilbert, found a distressing note attached to their door when she arrived to drop off groceries, as she usually did due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The eerie message on an A4 paper indicated that the couple had planned their demise, instructing Beryl to notify the authorities and revealing the location of a key hidden in a flower pot for entry. Subsequently, the police entered the bungalow and found the elderly duo deceased in a bedroom, as disclosed during a Tralee District Court inquest.
The couple, found in separate beds without any visible signs of harm, were determined to have taken their own lives, with Mrs. Gilbert battling stage four pancreatic cancer. Originally from the UK, the Gilberts had moved to Kerry in the 1990s after running a successful glass engraving business in Kenmare.
Their granddaughter, Felicity Gilbert, described the couple as extremely close and shared that they had become more secluded, especially during the pandemic. Legal advisor Vincent Coakley revealed that the couple had visited his office to finalize their wills, expressing concerns about Covid-19 due to Mrs. Gilbert’s health.
Post-mortem examinations conducted by Chief State Pathologist Dr. Linda Mulligan confirmed that the Gilberts had ingested a lethal substance leading to their deaths. Toxicology reports corroborated this, indicating a swift fatality. It was evident that the couple had made preparations before their passing, with no external influence detected.
The coroner ruled the deaths as suicides, offering condolences to the bereaved families and acknowledging the sensitive nature of the case. Residents remembered Mr. Gilbert for his artistic talent and described the couple as reserved and modest individuals.