Killed daughters 'asleep forever'

Ellie, three, and Isobelle, 14 months, were found by police on a bed

A father told the mother of their two children "they're asleep forever" after he had killed them, an inquest heard.

David Cass, 33, smothered Ellie, three, and Isobelle, 14 months, in the caravan where he lived in the grounds of Paynes Road Car Sales in Southampton.

Moments later, he called his estranged girlfriend, Kerrie Hughes, to say what he had done and then hanged himself.

Coroner Keith Wiseman recorded verdicts that both girls were unlawfully killed and Cass had committed suicide.

The court heard that Cass and Ms Hughes, 20, had split in August and he had been given weekend access to look after the girls, as well as time during the week.

'Always love you'

But in the days before the killings, Cass grew angry he was not seeing the girls enough.

The inquest heard he had threatened to kill himself, but never mentioned harming the children.

The hearing was told Cass called his mother at 1822 GMT on 21 September and she asked him if he had taken Ellie and Isobelle back to their home in Fairoak, Hampshire.

The girls' funeral was held last month

Reading from a statement, Det Sgt Glyn White said Cass replied: "No, I cannot allow the children to live in the conditions they have to live in.

"The children have gone to sleep and so am I. I love you mum."

Minutes later he called Ms Hughes, and Mr White said Cass told her: "They're asleep forever."

Ms Hughes responded: "What do you mean?"

Cass replied: "Just remember I will always love you," before putting down the telephone.

Police eventually went to the garage and broke into the caravan to find the two girls dead on a bed.

Post-mortem examinations concluded Ellie and Isobelle had died from smothering and Cass from hanging.

I have not had to deal with a similar tragedy in the 15 years I have held this particular role Coroner Keith Wiseman

The hearing was told the split between Cass and his girlfriend had been protracted with both sides calling the police and social services.

Ms Hughes had accused Cass of trying to run her over in 2007.

In the days before the deaths, social worker Susan Poole had spoken to both parents and described them as being calm and thoughtful.

Ms Hughes had said her estranged boyfriend was a good father, Ms Poole told the court.

Recording his verdicts, Mr Wiseman said: "An event of this nature is extraordinarily rare.

"Certainly I have not had to deal with a similar tragedy in the 15 years I have held this particular role.

"No one has provided any information or evidence that suggested this event could have been anticipated in any way at all."