Mum meant to kill daughter in house fire - inquest

Mental heath professionals could not have predicted that a mother who killed her daughter and herself in a fire would have done it while under their care two days earlier, a coroner has said.

Danielle Parkinson and daughter Iliza, eight, died after the blaze at their home in Huddersfield on 31 July 2024. Parkinson's eldest daughter was injured but survived.

Recording a verdict of suicide at the inquest in Bradford, Assistant Coroner Caroline Chandler said Parkinson had presented as a bright and caring mum. She concluded Iliza had been unlawfully killed.

She added that she believed the 31-year-old "was aware that her actions would result in significant harm or death of both herself and Iliza".

"At all relevant times she was aware that her actions would end Iliza's life," she added.

The inquest heard Parkinson had spoken of difficulties interacting with her children, but there had been no safeguarding concerns.

Chandler said Parkinson was on the child protection register aged 12, and had mental health problems which appeared to stem from her childhood.

Community psychiatric nurse Farah Farooq saw Parkinson two days before her death on 29 July and described her as a "kind, caring mum".

She said she had first met her on 14 July, during a four-day stay at The Rest Stop, a short-term crisis support service for people in Kirklees.

Farooq told the inquest Parkinson was "bright and happy".

"She engaged really well. She had slept well and she said she had an improved mood," the professional explained.

Farooq visited Parkinson at home 10 days later to drop off medication and had a chat during which the mum talked about plans with the children later in the summer, including a potential theatre trip.

She told the coroner's court that Parkinson had previously talked about what she called "mum guilt" at leaving her children in the care of others during her time at The Rest Stop.

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The inquest had previously heard from the fire service, which said Parkinson and her children had been found in a bedroom, with the fire starting in the hallway.

Iliza, who had 90% burns to her body, also had several stab wounds, the inquest heard.

Parkinson was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary suffering from extensive burns and died a short time later.

The coroner said she was satisfied that Parkinson had deliberately set fire to the house but mental heath services would not have known she planned to take her own life.

"I do not feel there was an immediate risk to life at that time that was known, or ought to have been known," she said.

Moving on to Iliza, Chandler said there were "missed opportunities" which had become apparent during the inquest.

"At no point was the voice of her children captured, and at no point were safeguarding involved," she added.

Speaking after the verdict, West Yorkshire Police's Det Con Lorna Ratcliffe read a statement on behalf of Iliza's family, which said she was "much-loved" by them all.

The statement said her loss had caused a "devastating and life-changing impact," particularly to her father, Gary.

"Gary has spoken of his profound grief and heartbreak he has endured since losing Iliza. A pain that he continues to bear every day," they added.

The family also thanked emergency services and those who had offered compassion and support.

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