Mark Martin Sinton, 42, and his long-term partner Claire White, 32, were discovered by Mark’s mother at their home on Priory Road, Barnsley. The pair, who had been together for 17 years and shared four children, were found lying on top of each other on the bedroom floor.
The inquest at the Sheffield Medico Legal Centre heard that both had a long history of intravenous drug use, including heroin, cocaine and methadone.
Assistant Coroner Nathalie James said the couple returned home from Barnsley town centre at around 5pm on 20 February. They went straight upstairs without speaking to Mark’s mother. When she noticed the next day that their coats had not been moved, she went to check on them and made the tragic discovery.
In a statement read to the inquest, Mark’s mother said:
“Mark had been in a relationship with Claire since 2007 and they had four children together. Mark had been in and out of prison since he was 16 and was a heavy drug user. They came to live with me after my husband died several years ago.”
She told the court that she shouted their names when she entered the room but received no response. “I knew they were dead. I didn’t see their faces,” she said.
Emergency services were called, and both Claire and Mark were declared dead at 4.16pm. Police officers at the scene found drug paraphernalia, including a crack pipe, as well as a positive pregnancy test.
Forensic post-mortem examinations revealed that both had died from heroin, cocaine and methadone toxicity.
Coroner Nathalie James said it was impossible to determine who had died first but confirmed that both had consumed a combination of drugs that produced a fatal toxic effect.
She concluded the inquest by ruling the deaths as drug-related, noting:
“There was a long-established dependence on drugs, supported by the toxicology reports. Based on the evidence I have read and considered in detail, I am minded to record a conclusion of drug-related deaths.”
