Jodey Whiting, a 42-year-old woman with a severe spinal disease and other disabilities, of Stockton-on-Tees, died by suicide in February 2017. A mother of nine, she’d been homebound and suffered from manifold ailments. Local authorities in May 2017 quickly declared her death a suicide. This decision completely failed to take into consideration the profound effect of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stopping her benefits.
Whiting’s natural blonde wave, waist-length hair in thick beachy curls, sometimes up with a silver tiara shaped hair band completing her modern pop princess look. She typically accessorizes with a silver colored scarf and light blue cardigan. Her outward, physical appearance hid the inner struggle she endured after the DWP mistakenly stopped her benefits. She described how this decision made her mental state even worse. She began leaving alarming messages—often missed by her family until after her death—regarding her inability to pay bills and procure food.
Only two weeks prior to her death, Whiting had been medically cleared to return to work. She’d missed that same assessment due to being in the hospital for pneumonia. This error by the DWP compounded her already fragile situation. Joy Dove, Whiting’s mother, dedicated eight years to pursuing a second inquest into her daughter’s death, culminating in a recent ruling by senior coroner Clare Bailey at Teesside Coroner’s Court.
This is the focal point that the second inquest pursued, with laser-like effect, questioning the DWP’s actions. It found, in the end, Whiting’s deteriorating mental state, exacerbated by her benefits being cut off, was the cause of her suicide. This ruling was a huge victory for Dove, who had battled for years on behalf of her daughter to see justice served.
“The consultant psychiatrist went right through Jodey’s life and read all the reports and I’m pleased he agreed that what the DWP did was the straw that broke the camel’s back.” – Joy Dove
She admitted it was still hurtful to have to return to the details of her daughter’s death.
“It’s hard to take in, I’m shocked but delighted and happy the coroner recorded that Jodey took her own life because her benefits were stopped.” – Joy Dove
Dove is unfaltering in her mission to continue being a voice for those who have endured the same struggles as her.
“It won’t bring Jodey back and it was hard to go back to the same court where it all started.” – Joy Dove
Dove remains resolute in her commitment to advocate for others facing similar hardships.
“The fight for Jodey has been concluded, but I will always try to help other families going through something similar and they can always get in touch.” – Joy Dove
