Inquest
Father had alerted social services prior to tragedy

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THE CONCERNED ex-partner of a woman who killed her young daughter before taking her own life at their Stratford home had contacted social services months before the tragedy - an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the deaths of Clare White and her six-year-old daughter, Ayesha White-Mukumbira, heard from Clare's ex-partner and Ayesha's father, Harry Mukumbira, today (Tuesday).

Clare, a 28-year-old cleaner, and Ayesha were both found dead at their Christie Way home, on June 10 last year.

Clare was found hanging from the door frame of a cupboard while Ayesha was found dead in bed.

The inquest heard a series of notes found at the scene indicated Clare had taken Ayesha's life before committing suicide.

Mr Mukumbira, who had an on-off relationship with Ms White, but still had regular contact with the two, said he had visited social services representatives in Stratford, in January 2011, because he was concerned about Clare's ability to look after Ayesha.

He said she had become very depressed and he became concerned after walking into the home they had previously shared, in Christie Way, to find Clare sleeping and Ayesha unattended.

This led him to visit social services where he was told someone would call him back to discuss the matter - but the court was told they never did.

At the first day of the inquest, in Leamington, scheduled to last until Thursday, the court heard how Clare's mother, Gillian White, visited the house in Christie Way on the morning of June 10 after becoming concerned because she was not returning her calls.

After getting the help of Clare's best friend, Natalie Renardson, they managed to get into the two-bedroom flat where they found Clare hanging and Ayesha dead in bed.

In a statement read out in court, Mrs Renardson, who had known Clare for 18 years, said she had been in a 'very dark place' prior to her death and was very depressed.

She had been taking anti-depressants and had missed several days work prior to the bodies being discovered.

The inquest also heard from police who made the grim discovery after they were called by Mrs Renardson.

In a statement, Insp Jason Wiles, of Warwickshire Police, said the notes at the scene suggested Clare had taken Ayesha's life before taking her own.

Exactly how St Gregory's Primary School pupil, Ayesha, died has not yet been revealed and the inquest will hear medical evidence when the hearing resumes tomorrow (Wednesday).

Chris Hallett, Chair of Warwickshire Local Safeguarding Children Board confirmed a Serious Case Review had been conducted following the deaths and it had found the deaths were 'unpredictable and unpreventable' and that they were not caused by 'deficiencies in professional practice'.

The inquest continues.

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