A man who killed himself just days after his girlfriend's suicide had been tormented by cruel and false rumours. Friends of Craig Daffern said he had been falsely accused of being involved in Jenny Shanley's death and it drove him to suicide.
Jenny died aged just 36 on January 11 last year after taking cocaine. Craig found her in the couple's home in Westby on the Fylde coast, between Blackpool and Preston.
On January 16, the body of 35-year-old skilled gardener was then found near a telephone exchange building in School Lane in Catforth. He had texted a friend saying, "I've had enough but I love you all".
Friends say it was cruel and false rumours which led him to kill himself, reports Manchester Evening News and LancsLive. An inquest heard that Jenny had ongoing financial worries and she had previously taken an overdose following the breakdown of her marriage to the father of her children.
Jenny's family had voiced concerns that Craig had been involved in her death but this was categorically ruled out by senior coroner Alan Wilson. Evidence from the police and pathologist confirmed Jenny had taken her own life.
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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. They had planned to go on holiday to Land's End in for May and Craig's friends revealed that he planned to ask Jenny to marry him during the trip.
One of his best friends told LancsLive: "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's friend, who has had to seek counselling over the deaths of the couple, 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 told LancsLive that they hope "everyone can now move forward", describing 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.
She added: "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."
