Family’s plea after woman found guilty of encouraging suicide

Peterborough woman convicted of encouraging man to kill himself

Within hours of coming into contact with Matthew Birkinshaw on an internet forum, Natasha Gordon of Paston Ridings, had arranged to meet him the next day – claiming she would take her own life at the same time as him.

On December 17, 2015 the pair travelled to Rutland Water where only 31-year-old from Walsall, went ahead with the pact. The court heard she had also tried to speak to others about suicide after Matthew’s death.

Gordon denied encouraging Matthew to commit suicide, but was found guilty of the charge on Friday after a trial.

After the verdict, Matthew’s parents said: “It is impossible to put into words the effect the loss of Matthew has had on our family. He was everything to us and he has left a space no-one else can ever fill. We miss him every day and struggle to picture a life without him in it.” Matthew’s parents also urged people considering suicide to speak to loved ones.

They said: “Can we send this message to anyone else who may be struggling with these feelings; there are people you can speak to who have your best interests at heart. If not a family member or close friend, then one of the agenMatthew, cies out there who can offer support. If you try to face this alone, you become more vulnerable, as our son was. There are people who love you and would be devastated by your loss. If this message averts one tragedy, it will mean that something positive has come out of the death of such a beautiful and much-loved son.”

Detective Constable Michelle Preston said: “What became clear during the course of our investigation was Gordon had tried to encourage others to take their own life. And we found evidence she was attempting to engage two people in conversation about suicide shortly after being located by police in Rutland.”

Gordon will be sentenced at a later date.

Matthew Birkinshaw