In 2021, Shirley Nunn, 67, and her son Steven, 50, were found dead in their Middlesbrough home. Shirley, terminally ill with stage three lung cancer that had spread to her brain, spine, and pelvis, had been Steven’s full-time caregiver since a childhood accident left him with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and severe brain damage.
Despite her declining health, Shirley prioritized her son’s needs and tried to ensure his care after her death. A Domestic Homicide Review revealed she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, yet authorities failed to provide adequate support. The report concluded that Shirley likely felt she had no alternative, leading to the tragic deaths of both mother and son—preventable with proper care and intervention.