Wednesday 17 April 2013

FILICIDE (multiple): UK: more on Fiona Anderson


New CCTV shows heavily pregnant mother-of-three who killed herself and children as her family hits out at social services over her death

  • Family says: 'We wish more had been done to recognise her mental health problems'
  • CCTV footage shows her outside offices of a housing trust
  • Bodies of mother's three children discovered after she jumped to her death 
  • Suffolk Police say they are treating deaths as suspicious
    With her baby bump clearly visible, this is desperate Fiona Anderson as she drops off the keys to the flat where her three young children lay dead.
The chilling CCTV images show the 23-year-old who was seven months pregnant as she arrived at the house where her ex-boyfriend was staying, less than two hours before she fell to her death.
Miss Anderson, who it is thought had one of the children's teddy bears in her pocket, was unable to speak to Craig McLelland, 24, who she believed had left her for another woman.
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CCTV shows Fiona Anderson at the Fyffe Centre early on the morning that she died
CCTV shows Fiona Anderson at the Fyffe Centre early on the morning that she died
She appeared to try the door at the building which is home to St John's Housing Trust
She appeared to try the door at the building which is home to St John's Housing Trust
Thirty seconds later she left the building - less than two hours later her body was found
Thirty seconds later she left the building - less than two hours later her body was found
Instead she handed over the keys to someone else and told him to give the keys to Mr McLelland.
Unbeknown to anyone, the couple's children Levina, three, Addy, two, and 11-month-old Kyden were already lying dead in the rented flat a quarter of a mile away.
 
The footage taken at 6:20am then shows Miss Anderson looking resigned as she walks away from the house.
At 8am she was found dead after she fell 40ft to her death from a car park roof in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on Monday.
Police then went to her flat half a mile away at 11:20am and discovered the bodies of her children.
It is thought that she may have wanted Mr McLelland, who she stabbed during a row the night before, to have found the bodies.
Deaths: Suffolk Police have confirmed that officers briefly spoke to Fiona Anderson, pictured, before she killed herself
Deaths: Suffolk Police have confirmed that officers briefly spoke to Fiona Anderson, pictured, hours before the tragedy
Loss: Fiona Anderson, aged in her early 20s, is believed to have been heavily pregnant when she died. Her three children were found dead at her home three hours after she fell from the car park
Loss: Fiona Anderson, aged in her early 20s, is believed to have been heavily pregnant when she died. Her three children were found dead at her home three hours after she fell from the car park
Yesterday, Miss Anderson's family said they wished more had been done to recognise their daughter's mental health problems as friends claimed social services had turned their back on her.
Her parents paid tribute to their 'loving and caring' daughter who they said had suffered from mental illness since she was young.
Michael and Kerry Anderson and her sisters Claire and Laura Anderson said that 'life was sometimes overwhelming' for her.
In a statement, they said: 'Fiona was a beautiful, intelligent girl and a loving and caring person, but she had suffered from mental illness since she was young and we believe she was driven to her actions yesterday.
'This was not our Fiona - she was not herself. She cared passionately about others but often brought stress on herself by caring too much. She was gentle but ended up under too much pressure. 
Emotional: A tearful Craig Mclelland arrives at the home where his three children were found dead yesterday with a relative, who comforted hi, as he lay flowers and a toy
Emotional: A tearful Craig Mclelland arrives at the home where his three children were found dead yesterday with a relative, who comforted hi, as he lay flowers and a toy
A tearful Craig McLelland arrives at the home where his three children were found dead on Monday with his mother Mandy who comforted him as he lay a balloon and a toy
Family: Father Craig McLellan pictured with his children (left to right) Addy Kyden and Levina. The three were found dead in their mother's falt this morning
Family: Father Craig McLellan pictured with his children (left to right) Addy Kyden and Levina. The three were found dead in their mother's flat
'As a family we were close but she would often push us away, keen to do her own thing and not to listen when we offered support. Life was sometimes overwhelming for her.'
They added: 'She was really popular but just didn't believe she was and had forgotten there were people there that could help her.
'We wish more had been done to recognise her mental health problems.'
Friends have claimed that when she died, Miss Anderson was in despair after social services failed to help her.
Showna Elliott, 27, said: 'I know she went to social services to ask for help, but they started investigating her and threatening to take her children away.
'It looks like she was chronically depressed. She needed help, but she didn't get it.
Neighbour Karleigh Burlingham, 20, added: 'When she went to them for help they turned their back.'
Suffolk social services said that they are currently investigating the case but did not deny that social workers had talked with Miss Anderson about taking her children into care.
Captured: Fiona Anderson clutching a teddy bear moments before fell to her death in Lowestoft
Captured: Fiona Anderson clutching a teddy bear moments before fell to her death in Lowestoft
Police have released these CCTV images to help piece together Fiona Anderson's final moments
Police have released these CCTV images to help piece together Fiona Anderson's final moments
The incident has been passed to the county's independent local Safeguarding Children's Board, 'as is normal with this type of incident'.
Sue Cook, director for children and young people at Suffolk County Council, said: 'This is a terrible and very sad incident.
'My thoughts at this time are with the family and all those who knew the mother and children.
'With the police investigation ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on specifics relating to the family.'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission are also investigative after it was revealed officers went to Miss Anderson's home hours before she fell to her death but she turned them away.
They went to her flat in the early hours of Monday morning as they investigated the stabbing of Mr McLelland.
It is thought that Miss Anderson stabbed him in a rage at her flat on Monday night, but at the time he had told police that he had been stabbed by a man in a nearby street.
Kyden McLelland
Levina McLelland
Kyden McLelland (left), who was 11-months-old and Levina McLelland, three. It is not known how they died
Innocent: Addy McLelland was just two. He was found dead at the flat with his brother and sister
Innocent: Addy McLelland was just two. He was found dead at the flat with his brother and sister
A friend of Miss Anderson set up a Facebook page in memory of her and her three children.
The page called R.I.P. Fiona Anderson-Chisholm attracted more than 700 'likes' in two hours after being set up by Lucy Teale.
A description of the page said: 'No hate just respect! Anyone who knew Fiona knew that she was a warm kindhearted girl who would do anything for anyone. ?'
Ms Teale wrote: 'I grew up with Fiona and I am beyond devastated that she is gone. We shared so many wonderful memories together and I'm blessed to have had her in my life.
'This page is for you Fiona. I'm always with you! Now rest in peace with your sweet ones. Lucy xxx'
Those who joined the site included Samantha Jane Flower who wrote: 'RIP Fiona and to your perfect babies, its so sad u felt u had no-one to turn to, i hope u have found peace with yourself and your babies sweet dreams lovely, god bless xxxxxx'Diane Clampit added: 'Sleep well darlings..The angels will love and comfort you all...Safe journey.........RIP'
Helen Smith wrote: 'i didnt know you but read your heartbreaking cry for help, God only knows what despair you must of felt, why did nobody help.Rest easy now with your babies you are safe in heaven xx'
Nicola Marie Esgate said: 'She must of been in the darkest place..she obviously felt so alone and desperate...very sad..RIP xx'
Lena Hoffman added: 'God bless you and may you be at peace now. Let the Angels heal your broken spirit. X'
For confidential support about depression, call the Samaritans on 0845 790 9090 or visit a local Samaritans branch. Or click here to visit the charity's website.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2310458/Fiona-Anderson-death-Family-hits-social-services-lack-treatment.html#ixzz2QjdTWQR7
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