Tributes paid to four involved in tragedies at cliffs

LIVES shattered, lingering questions and pleas for answers - a beloved North Yorkshire coastal resort remains shrouded in darkness following the discovery of four bodies at an iconic landmark.

- By Jade McElwee and Lyra Auld

All four individuals involved in these tragedies have now been named.

The elderly pair witnessed "hand-in-hand" by onlookers before plunging from the cliff face on July 30 were confirmed as David Jeffcock, 80, and Susan Jeffcock, 74.

Twenty-four hours later, the body of cherished grandmother Joan Blanchon were also discovered at the base of the cliffs near Whitby Pavilion.

On August 2, Susan Fawcett, 59, was located slightly further down the coastline at Sandsend close to the main car park.

The fatalities of these four individuals sent waves of sorrow throughout Whitby, spurring relatives and companions to share memorials, honouring the “much-loved” pair and the two “beloved” grandmothers.

Tributes for the elderly duo, posted publicly on Facebook, revealed how the couple “could not live without each other”.

Posting on Facebook, Megan Rideout said: “The couple were my nana’s brother (and his partner).

“He was really ill and in a lot of pain.

“The doctors couldn’t do any more and she didn’t want to live without him. They had no children.”

Additional users responded beneath the post, offering their condolences.