A young couple was found hanging from the same tree with ‘into eternity’ and ‘4 Ever’ spray-painted in the woods, according to investigation
- The bodies of Charlie Eccleston and Zaiga Gravenieks found in Hertfordshire in 2017
- There were traces of cocaine and cannabis in their bodies, an investigation heard today.
A young couple was found hanging from the same tree in the woods that had ‘Into Eternity’ and ‘4 Ever’ spray-painted, an inquest heard today.
The bodies of Charlie Eccleston, 19, and Zaiga Gravenieks, 20, were discovered by a police dog in a secluded part of woodland in Shenley, Hertfordshire, on the morning of November 5, 2017.
The couple, who had been missing since Halloween, had been traced to the area by Zaiga’s mobile phone, the hearing in Hatfield heard.
Zaiga’s arm was cradled around Charlie’s shoulder and emotional messages reading ‘Into Eternity’ and ‘4 Ever’ had been spray painted in a heart symbol.
They had bought paint and rope in Borehamwood before a taxi dropped them off near the woods.
The bodies of Charlie Eccleston, 19, and Zaiga Gravenieks, 20, were discovered by a police dog in a secluded part of woodland in Shenley, Hertfordshire, on the morning of November 5, 2017.
Woodland in Shenley, Hertfordshire where the bodies of Mr Eccleston and Mrs Gravenieks were found on November 5, 2017
Post-mortem examinations determined that they died of suffocation. There were traces of cocaine and cannabis on their bodies.
In a statement read to Hertfordshire’s Chief Coroner Geoffrey Sullivan, Charlie’s mother Jo said: “They lived together, died together and, at their request, were buried together.”
She said Charlie, from Borehamwood, had struggled with his mental health since he was 12 years old. He had shown signs of psychosis and had voices telling him to commit suicide.
He was a talented musician who sang and played guitar in a metal band called Desert Smoker.
Ms Eccleston said: “Although he didn’t love himself, he adored Zaige. Zaige was a talented artist. He dreamed of being a tattoo artist.
She was stunningly beautiful. You could always see her love for Charlie.
Zaiga, of Harpenden, had been diagnosed with anorexia and Asperger’s syndrome, her mother, Ausma, said in a statement.
She had been studying music at Bedford College, but became too ill to continue.
“She and Charlie were deeply in love,” he added.
Evidence from Professor Hilary McCallion, who examined the way the couple were treated by mental health professionals, will be heard tomorrow.
The inquiry should last three days.