[Cherie]

devastated husband could not bear to leave his wife’s body after she killed herself while the couple was homeless during the pandemic.


Michael and Angela Winter, both lost their jobs when coronavirus restrictions were implemented, leaving them unable to pay their rent by March last year.

They moved in with Michael’s family but everyone argued too much and it did not work out.

So the couple left on June 1 and started living in a tent near a children’s park in the Washlands in Burton, Staffordshire.

The Winters relied on food banks to eat and eventually tried to go back to Michael’s relatives for help on June 20 – but they were not allowed back into the family home.

Angela, a former Kerry Foods worker, ‘exploded’ four days later, telling her husband she was fed up with living in a tent and walked off with two bags packed.

Michael thought his wife would return once she had calmed down, but he got worried when there was no sign of her for almost five days and eventually went looking for her, he told an inquest.

He found Angela dead in a tent she had set up in a nearby woodland on June 29. She had taken a combination of several prescription pills and killed herself.

Michael wrapped Angela’s body in the tent so children would not find her and then he tried to take his own life too.

Although Michael survived, he was too upset to leave Angela’s body and stayed with her for three days – without eating or drinking – before he went to the police station.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder but was later cleared of all charges as the story was pieced together by investigators.

A toxicology report revealed the dangerous mix of prescription drugs Angela had taken, as well as widespread pneumonia in her lungs.

It was not clear whether Angela had taken any other drugs as her body was not tested for them.

South Staffordshire assistant coroner Daniel Howe recorded a conclusion of suicide.

At the time of her death, Angela’s family said: ‘Angela was a lovely sister who will be sadly missed by all of her family.’

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...?ocid=msedgntp

[Alf]

Why couldn't they receive any help with their rent from the benifits system?

[MTVN]

Very sad story but the series of events is also quite odd, suspect they must both have had quite severe mental health problems and/or substance issues

How someone can be employed by a major news website and write an article that badly is pretty bizarre as well

[UserSince2005]

There was so much help from the government at the time. Why did they not get help. They could have done the eat out to help out scheme.

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by UserSince2005

There was so much help from the government at the time. Why did they not get help. They could have done the eat out to help out scheme.

Sometimes the help merely existing isn't enough, especially when it comes to mental health issues.

Do you really think "those people" you sometimes see out and about, the ones shouting and screaming in the streets and begging for money ... do you really think people in their shoes have the wherewithal to apply for benefits? Especially disability benefits, which i understand is needlessly drawn out.

The couple in the o/p don't seem quite so severe, but that doesn't mean they weren't deterred by the process.

[Cherie]

You need an address for starters to claim benefits

[arista]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You need an address for starters to claim benefits

Yes Some Charity's help with a Temp address
in order to get their money
but of course the homeless need to connect
via a food bank, first.


Real sad case.

[hijaxers]

Originally Posted by UserSince2005

There was so much help from the government at the time. Why did they not get help. They could have done the eat out to help out scheme.

Are you living in the same world as i am eat out to help really

[rusticgal]

Thats so sad...and so tragic. If we can house migrants then why can't we house our own

[arista]

Originally Posted by rusticgal

Thats so sad...and so tragic. If we can house migrants then why can't we house our own

Yes, illegal migrants put in costly Hotels.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You need an address for starters to claim benefits

https://centrepoint.org.uk/about-us/...l-entitlement/

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes, illegal migrants put in costly Hotels.

disgusting

[UserSince2005]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes, illegal migrants put in costly Hotels.

They trash the accommodation because it’s not good enough.

[Livia]

The should have gone to france, paddled back to the UK and got a free house.

How can we have indigenous people living rough while we're still taking.people in? Are they not as important?

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Livia

The should have gone to france, paddled back to the UK and got a free house.

How can we have indigenous people living rough while we're still taking.people in? Are they not as important?

Because we accept and allow it.

Most people think the same about this which tells you that we're electing people that don't represent us as they should.

[MTVN]

We could have zero immigration and there would still be homelessness unfortunately

[arista]

Originally Posted by UserSince2005

They trash the accommodation because it’s not good enough.

Only a few have.


Some are from Warzones.


Many others are Not

[arista]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

https://centrepoint.org.uk/about-us/...l-entitlement/

Yes good Link, Kizzy
it is sad the lady died in her tent

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Alf

Because we accept and allow it.

Most people think the same about this which tells you that we're electing people that don't represent us as they should.

Most people do not think the same about this, fancy bringing the plight of displaced refugees and asylum seekers into this?
We have no idea as to the circumstances here any number of factors could be in play, addictions or mental health issues. It no secret that due to the pandemic many have fallen through the cracks and services not available that may have offered support. But to try to point fingers at innocent people is a bit sick.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by MTVN

We could have zero immigration and there would still be homelessness unfortunately

This.

It's the current standard of living that's seeing a rise of cases like this, not immigration.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Most people do not think the same about this, fancy bringing the plight of displaced refugees and asylum seekers into this?
We have no idea as to the circumstances here any number of factors could be in play, addictions or mental health issues. It no secret that due to the pandemic many have fallen through the cracks and services not available that may have offered support. But to try to point fingers at innocent people is a bit sick.

I agree there must be more to this story and there are millions of British citizens on benefits in this country.

U2 band lyrics comes to mind, does it make it easier now you've got someone else to blame .