In 2021, Shirley Nunn, 67, and her son Steven, 50, were found dead in their Middlesborough, England home — a tragedy now revealed to have been preventable.
Shirley had recently been diagnosed with terminal stage three lung cancer, which had spread to her brain, spine, and pelvis. More than her own illness, she worried deeply about Steven, who had suffered brain damage in an accident at age 11. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Steven required full-time care, which Shirley had provided ever since her husband’s death.
Despite her declining health, Shirley continued to care for Steven, with only limited help from adult social care. A Domestic Homicide Review later found Shirley had been suffering from depression and had expressed suicidal thoughts, overwhelmed by concerns for Steven’s future care.
In October 2021, after a hospital stay, she was discharged with plans for end-of-life care at home. Two days later — exactly two years after her husband’s death — police found both Shirley and Steven dead.
The investigation concluded that authorities missed critical chances to support her. With proper mental health intervention, the tragedy might have been avoided. Shirley had always put her son’s needs first — and likely felt she had no other option.