A jealous man smothered his girlfriend to death with a pillow before hanging himself because she ended their relationship, an inquest has heard.

Mother-of-two Lucy Powell, 21, was discovered dead lying on a bed at a house in Swancote Road, Stechford, in Birmingham on the evening of January 27, 2022.

Officers forced their way into the address after her father raised concerns and they found the bodies of Ms Powell and 47-year-old Gregory Duhamel.

Birmingham Coroners Court heard today Duhamel killed Ms Powell after wrongly accusing her of cheating before hanging himself in the bedroom.

A note left by Duhamel indicated an intention to take his own life and added how ‘Lucy would die as well’.

A post mortem examination revealed the 21-year-old died from asphyxia caused by smothering while Duhamel’s death was a result of suspension by ligature.

Birmingham Area Coroner Emma Brown described Ms Powell, who worked as a carer, as a ‘devoted and hard working mum’ who still found time to pursue arts and crafts.

She had lived at the address with Duhamel, who was the father of her children, but evidence found revealed they were intending to sell the property.

Ms Brown said it was clear from those who knew Ms Powell and the note left by Duhamel at the scene that the relationship had come to an end.

On January 27, Ms Powell’s father had gone to Stechford police station to report his daughter was missing after she failed to collect her children from nursery.

Police then went to the address and forced their way inside after getting no response.

Officers found Duhamel hanging while Ms Powell was discovered lying in the bedroom.

Ms Brown said: ‘There was no sign that entry had been forced to the property and there was no sign of significant disorder in the bedroom.

‘Ms Powell was a fit and strong young woman.

‘A police investigation has confirmed that Lucy had ended the relationship and that Duhamel did not accept this.

‘It is clear from the investigation that Duhamel killed Lucy and then himself.

‘I find that Lucy was smothered by her partner.’

She added Duhamel had believed Lucy had cheated on him but there was no evidence to support that.

The coroner recorded she had been unlawfully killed.

Following her death In a heartbreaking tribute, Ms Powell’s family said: ‘Lucy was a kind, caring beautiful person inside and out and always put a smile on everyone’s face.

‘She was a brilliant, loving mother to her two young children.

‘She was taken from us way too soon and nothing will ever fill the heart-breaking hole in our hearts.

‘Rest in peace our special girl.’