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Bereavement

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DH committed suicide, body found 10 days later part 2

348 replies

MamaTeeTee · 03/02/2016 09:12

The support I had on the last thread was amazing so thought Id continue it.

For anyone catching up, my DH died between christmas and new year. He had been struggling with depression and a cocaine and steroid addiction. His behaviour in the last 6 months got totally out of control. He was drink driving, disappearing for days, sneaking out in the middle of the night. We hAd two weeks apart at the beginning of December during which time he lived with a friend. He insisted he was clean during these 2 weeks but I later found out he wasn't. He moved back home for 2 weeks but christmas was a disaster and he told me on xmas eve (whilst he was drunk and high) that I was his trigger that made him do these silly things and he wanted to leave.
He went to stay with his mum on December 28th although we were still very much a family. He came to the family home for tea after work, we took the kids out togetehr, then he went to sleep at his mums. I thought I was giving him family life without the pressure.
On Tuesday 29th December I picked DH up after work and we went home and played playdoh with the kids for an hour. I took him to the shops to get a couple of bits he needed and then dropped him to his mums as me and DC were going to my dads for an hour. I called DH on my way home to see if he wanted to see the kids before they went to bed but he said he was busy. He came to the house at 10pm as I had made his food for work for the following day and we had a cuddle on the sofa. At 10.30pm when he was back at his mums he text me "is this the way it's going to be from now on?" And I replied "I think so, until you sort yourself out". The texts went on and he explained that he was sorry for putting us through this and how much he loved me. I said I loved him too but I couldn't understand how we had got here and that he seemed to be so much happier being away from us. He text me at 11pm saying "I love you, I love my parents and I love our babies but you're all better off without me xxxxxxxx". And that was the last anyone heard from him.
He has sent me that same text I don't know how many times over the years. I usually get a text half an hour later saying "I'm being a tit, ignore me".
I didn't get another text this time. I text him back a few times but thought he was playing games with me so I went to sleep.
I called him in the morning at 8.15am but there was no answer. I thought he was in work so I tried again at 10.15 when he goes on break. It went straight to answer phone. I still hadn't heard from him at 5pm and I was a little worried but assumed he was on a bender. At 11pm the police knocked the door to say his van had been found in the sea.
It took 10 days to recover my beautiful husband's body.
He left behind me and our 2 babies (4&5). I feel as though the world has come crashing down on us. Dd (5) misses him terribly and is struggling massively. She is terrified that I am going to die and her behaviour is just awful at the moment. DS (4) is absolutely fine. He talks about his daddy very matter of factly.

To top off an already horrific situation, there is a rumour going around that ive been having an affair with DHs best friend for months. My MiL quite evidently blames me for DHs death. And i now have to deal with the awful situation of getting probate sorted so I can sell our house. And then there's the inquest to deal with.
It's all so so shit.

OP posts:
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allthemoomins · 17/06/2016 23:26

I agree with getting legal advice, do you have screen shots of the posts she made? I would hope they would be enough to prove that contact is not in the kids' interests. I hope this gets sorted really soon and you can get on with your new start

Groovee · 17/06/2016 23:43

Legal advice with the screen shots and a log of her questioning the children.

She probably thinks she has a case but has neglected to disclosed her behaviour on social media.

notapizzaeater · 18/06/2016 00:02

I'd get so,e legal advice. She sounds unhinged

Hissy · 18/06/2016 09:19

Don't panic, there is no need. She has no automatic right to anything

Groovee · 18/06/2016 10:49

I don't think she can go to court without mediation first. You can refuse to go. Being referred doesn't mean compulsory though she may think so.

I know my friend's ex who tried to go to court said they had to go to mediation first to show that they couldn't resolve it.

Blu · 18/06/2016 10:57

Umm, surely a refusal by either party to attend mediation is a strong signal that it cannot be resolved! I think it used to be that you couldn't get Legal Aid unless you had attended mediation. But you can't get that now, anyway.

You need specialist, qualified, informed advice on this MamaTeeTee, including what significant involvement in a child's life means, whether it includes a regular pattern of pick ups and weekend visits/ stays, etc. this is not the right thread for that objective factual advice.

Blu · 19/06/2016 22:05

How have things been over the weekend, MamaTT?

AcrossthePond55 · 19/06/2016 23:49

I've been on the road the last few weeks (still am) and have just caught up. Mama I'm so sorry things have come to this pass.

My suggestion would be to seek legal advice. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a grandparent's 'legal right', but IIRC it has to do with the GP having been a large part of the children's lives. Whether or not your MiL meets that criteria, only a solicitor will be able to tell you that. My first instinct would be to have a solicitor reply to her solicitor, even if it's only to tell them to buzz off.

I'd also suggest you keep copies of any texts and screen shot any FB messages you can. As far as her nasty one 'disappearing', I'm sure her solicitor told her to get rid of it ASAP. You may want to ask anyone you feel comfortable asking if they screen shot it, or if it's appearing/quoted in anyone else's posts. Keep any written communications to a minimum. Never put anything in writing if you don't absolutely have to.

Her solicitor's letter carries no legal weight in and of itself. She would have to apply to the courts for leave to request access to the children. And only a judge would be able to 'order' you to mediation.

Best of luck on your move and job apps. I think distance will be your friend!

Notimefortossers · 10/08/2016 23:55

Mama I hope things have improved since last you posted. I was active on your original thread n was just thinking about you tonight and wondering how you are, so searched you and found this thread.

So sorry she is being so shitty, but fwiw I think you've absolutely done the right thing.

MamaTeeTee · 11/08/2016 10:28

Hi! Things have improved. I'm currently sitting on my sofa looking into my dining room full of my belongings waiting to be collected to take to our new house in a beautiful little village about an hours drive fr here! Moving day is today!
I have been offered a full time university place to study sport and nutrition which I start in September. The children are very excited to start their new school.

I stopped contact between MIL and DC for 6 or 7 weeks. She showed up at their sports day which was very awkward. I then had court forms through the post and it is due to go to court at the end of the month.
However, I contacted her solictor and offered weekly contact during the school holidays and fortnightly during term time which they've accepted. It is still going to court though.
Ive not had any contact with MIL, only FIL and he has been lovely.
The children are happy and are just so lush. I'm so lucky to have them.
Things are going very well with new man. He's wonderful. Obviously Im still grieving but I will be forever. I'm looking forward to my future and I know that my beautiful DH is behind me all the way. I know it sounds silly but I can still feel him everywhere and I know he'd be supporting me to Persue my dreams. I miss him so much but I'm learning to live with this permenant hole in my heart. My love for him is infinite.

This time last year I was a month away from my wedding - what should have been our happily ever after. It's crazy how much my life has changed!

OP posts:
Notimefortossers · 11/08/2016 19:10

I don't think you have anything to worry about at court. They will see that you have been reasonable, given her behaviour. Hopefully they'll let you stick with this reduced contact agreement, and an hour's distance between you will help too.

So glad to hear you're feeling better. I think you're amazing

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 17/08/2016 12:06

I'm so glad things are going well, Notimefortossers is right, you are amazing.

Maybe it going to court will snap your MIL out of it, maybe having someone outside of the situation (Judge) assessing her behaviour will make her see how badly she's behaved, who knows. It's good your FIL is being nice and it's very gracious of you to offer contact. You have been above reproach the whole way through this.

I hope the move has gone well Smile

Coconutty · 17/08/2016 21:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 22/08/2016 22:22

good luck with the move and getting settled!

notapizzaeater · 22/08/2016 22:24

So pleased with your latest update xx

hardheadedwoman · 30/08/2016 23:23

Very glad to hear you are doing so well

MamaTeeTee · 30/08/2016 23:32

The move went well. The dc are so settled here. It's so peaceful and pretty. But this hole in my heart won't mend. The more time goes on, the more I realise how unhealthy my relationship with DH was. i love him endlessly but gosh, how he controlled me! My dad said last week that this is the first time in my life that I have total control and he said he was so proud of me. And it's scared me to death. I'm terrified of disappointing people. I'm scared things are going too well to be true! I'm looking for cracks in mine and new mans relationship that don't exist and I'll only end up pushing him away.
My sister told me she's 7 weeks pregnant today. I'm delighted for her but I can't shake the pang of jealously. It was on our plan to get pregnant this year. She's absolutely glowing though and my nephew will make the most adorable big brother. Her boyfriend is so so lovely and I know he will look after the 3 of them.
So many mixed emotions! I'm becoming obsessive! I'm obsessed that im unattractive and that someone's going to steal new man away. I have been to the gym
Pretty much everyday since DHs funeral and ive put on at least a stome. I can only assume my metabolism is ruined because I didn't eat for the first month after he died. I'm constantly over thinking everything new man says/does. I can't cope like this. I just want a clear mind

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 31/08/2016 00:07

I can't remember but did you have counselling after ? I think you need to talk through these anxieties before they take hold.

Congratulations on the baby news x

Rubberduck2 · 31/08/2016 00:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/08/2016 00:58

I'm glad to see that things seem to be smoothing out a bit on the iL front.

I agree with others, I think grief counseling would do you a world of good!

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 31/08/2016 23:10

Yes, I agree also with grief counselling

How are your children? I know you say they are settled, but how do you feel they are doing?

MamaTeeTee · 01/09/2016 07:32

It's 100% time for counselling.
Honestly, I think the children are doing really well. DD (6) completed a course of counselling and is very much in control of her grief now. DS (5) hasn't had counselling but their new school will be doing ELSA with them once a week and will see how we go from there. They are both sleeping well for the first time in I don't know how long. They're very open. If DD is struggling, she'll tell me. DS is talking about DH more - Yesterday he asked lots of questions about how I met DH and he said he wishes he was here to see his new bedroom. Generally, they're both very happy children. They're getting along better than ever. They're best friends. They'll be in the same class in their new school as there are two year groups to a class so it's reassuring for them and for me to know they won't be on their own.
They're both amazing. I'm so so lucky to have them.

OP posts:
QOD · 01/09/2016 07:44

Ah so nice to see you! I'd 'lost' the ending of your name and was only searching the other day for you Smile

Mil sounds like a joy, she's stopped bad mouthing you i take it?

With regards to new man, you're still going through all the stages of grief and working through early stages of a new relationship
Awful lot to process!
Have the children met him?

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