19 February 2023 , 10:43
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The family of a couple who died three days apart finally have the answers they have been searching for one year on.
Craig Daffern, 35, was falsely accused of being involved in the death of his girlfriend Jenny Shanley, 36.
Jenny's family had voiced concerns that Craig had played a part in her death after he found her lifeless body in their en-suite bathroom. Craig had woken up at 6am before noticing the bathroom light was on and discovering his love dead in the shower.
The inquest previously heard - on Tuesday, February 14 - that Jenny's family voiced their suspicion that she may have been strangled by Craig but this was strongly refuted by Home Office Pathologist Dr Alison Armour, who confirmed there was no evidence of any injury or that Jenny had been the victim of an assault.
The suspicion was categorically ruled out by the inquest into Jenny's death, with evidence from the police and pathologist confirming that Jenny had taken her own life.
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Craig's best friends have now said that false rumours are what led him to kill himself three days later.
Craig and Jenny enjoying the sunshine (Lancs Live WS)
Craig took his own life after telling friends he 'couldn't live without' his girlfriend (MEN Media)The night before Jenny's passing, it was said the mum-of-two had been drinking and taking cocaine.
A coroner this week ruled she took her own life and died at the couple's Westby home in Lincs as a result of taking the Class A drug.
Senior Coroner Alan Wilson said that "Jennifer would not have died had it not been for the cocaine use" the night before she died, reports Lancs Live.
The inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard how Jenny ongoing financial worries and had previously taken an overdose following the breakdown of her marriage to the father of her children.
Three days after finding her dead on January 11, Craig text a friend saying "I've had enough but I love you all".
Craig was reported missing on January 14, three days after his girlfriend's death (MEN Media)Craig's family and friends desperately tried to ring him but his phone was switched off.
He was reported missing and two days later, on January 16, and his body was found near a telephone exchange building in Preston, Lancs.
An inquest into his death was held in May last year, and recorded a verdict of suicide.
One of Jenny's friends later told police that the couple were "very happy" together and she had never seen any evidence of violence between them.
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The couple were planning to go on holiday in May with her three children.
Craig's friends have now revealed that he planned to ask Jenny to marry him during the trip to Land's End - a place they had previously visited.
Craig's family described the couple as being 'very much in love' (Lancs Live WS)One of his best friends said: "If you were to ask me why Craig did what he did, I'd say it's because of the disgusting allegations that were made on social media after Jenny died.
"He was being blamed for what happened to her but all of their friends know that Craig would never have hurt Jenny.
"At Jenny's inquest the coroner made it clear that Craig had nothing to do with Jenny's death and we just hope that will be an end to it now. It's just a total tragedy.
"After Jenny's death Craig talked to his friends about what people were saying on social media and it absolutely broke him. He was pushed to suicide by those comments and I can't even begin to imagine how he felt when he took his own life."
Craig was going to ask Jenny to marry him (Lancs Live WS)Craig's friend revealed that after the couple's deaths he has had to seek counselling. He said that the last text he received from Craig was one in which he said "I can't do this anymore".
He added: "I just hope that those people who made those comments, and they know who they are, realise the consequences of their actions.
"All of Craig's family have been dignified in not responding but someone had to speak out so that people know why Craig did what he did."
Following the conclusion of Jenny's inquest Craig's family said that they hope "everyone can now move forward". They described the couple as being "very much in love".
"As a family we cannot thank everyone enough for their love and support over the last 12 months," Craig's sister Heather said. "To us as a family it means so much to know how much Craig was loved and cared for.
"We are all still heartbroken beyond belief but in time we will come to terms with this utter tragedy of losing such a happy couple who loved each other so much.
"Craig loved Jennifer and simply couldn't live without her and we hope everyone can now move forward."
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