A heartbroken estate agent who ‘didn’t know how to go on’ after his wife died following a five-year cancer battle took his own life using her cancer medicine, an inquest has heard.
Adam Thompson, 39, was found dead at home in Mulbarton, Norfolk, by his father on October 10.
His death came four months after that of his wife Lucy, 44, who had battled breast cancer for five years after first being diagnosed with the disease in February 2018.
Around the same time, he also suffered the loss of a close family member and his pet dog.
Adam, a father-of-three who had run Reality Estate Agent in Norwich alongside his wife, was discovered after failing to show up for work.
An inquest heard he died from cocaine and opioid toxicity.
Adam Thompson, 39, was found dead at home in Mulbarton, Norfolk, by his father on October 10
His death came four months after that of his wife Lucy, 44, who had battled breast cancer for five years after first being diagnosed with the disease in February 2018
Adam took his own life following the death of his wife, Lucy (right), from breast cancer four months previously
In a statement read to the coroner, his family said: ‘Adam was loving, kind, and caring; a loving, devoted father, son, brother, and husband. He was very much loved by all, and he always had time for everyone and had many, many friends.’
According to the Eastern Daily Press, they went on to describe him as a man who ‘worked very hard, played hard’, and who enjoyed sports, especially golf.
They described him as ‘devoted’ to his wife Lucy, who he had been in a relationship with for 11 years, adding she was ‘everything’ to him.
The pair married in July 2019 after Lucy had been given the all clear by doctors. But in June 2020, she was told she had multiple tumours on her liver, caused by secondary breast cancer, Norwich Evening News reports. Lucy died in July 2023 at home.
The statement added that after Lucy’s death, Adam ‘didn’t know how to go on’ after losing his rock: ‘Adam was so devastated with losing his wife. He would say he did not know how to go on without Lucy. He just wanted to be with her.’
They added that they ‘loved and missed’ him with all their hearts.
The inquest heard that after Lucy told doctors she wanted to spend her last days at home, she was given painkillers which then remained at the house after her death.
The inquest heard that after Lucy told doctors she wanted to spend her last days at home, she was given painkillers which then remained at the house after her death
Adam Thompson (left), 39, was found dead at home in Mulbarton, Norfolk, by his father on October 10
Lucy Thompson died five years after her first cancer diagnosis in 2018 at the age of 44
The couple both worked at Reality Estate Agent in Norfolk, although Adam was previously a police officer
Announcing Lucy’s death online, her family said she ‘was everyone’s hero, life and soul of the party and will forever be missed.’
They also praised her bravery throughout her cancer battle, and requested that those wishing to remember her donate to cancer charities The Big C and The Royal Marsden Hospital.
A fundraiser in her memory raised almost £2,000 for the charities.
Together, Adam and Lucy raised a total of £14,000, including by taking part in a skydive in 2021. Other fundraising events included a 400-mile cycle ride and 25km walk.
Announcing Adam’s death, a spokesperson for Reality Estate Agent said: ‘It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of my fellow director Adam, who tragically lost his battle with life, while grieving the recent death of his wife Lucy.’
His father, Nigel Thompson, said: ‘Adam was a gifted and talented person, a loving husband, father, brother and friend who created a warm and welcoming atmosphere to anyone who came into his presence.
‘He was such a fun-loving and caring person and would be the first to reach out when somebody was in need. Adam was full of life in so many ways.’
He added that his son stayed by Lucy’s side throughout her cancer battle and ‘shared her pain right to the end’.
He continued: ‘Each loss chipping away at this loving and caring person. All his beloved treasure taken from him; all the plans, the aspirations, lost.
‘Life suddenly lost its purpose and there was no point anymore.’
Area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded that Mr Thompson died by suicide.
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