The tragic path of kids left orphaned by dropping each mother and father to suicide – as heartbroken husband of Australian TV host dies two years after she took her personal life

Australia mourned on Tuesday after news broke that the husband of a TV presenter who took her own life following a mental health battle tragically died in a suspected suicide.

Perhaps one the most painful aspect of the tragedy is that Erin Jayne Plummer, a host on the morning talk show Studio 10, who passed away in 2022, and her husband Alan Plummer, 49, who was found dead in Sydney on Sunday, left their three children orphaned.

The sisters, once described as ‘mini-me’s’ of the presenter by their father, will now carry the heartbreak of losing both parents throughout their lifetime.

It’s a devastating reality shared by numerous children across the globe, with research pointing towards evidence that the risk of suicide is higher in suicide survivors than in bereaved families with non-suicide deaths.

The 2022 study, edited by Paul Wong of the University of Hong Kong, assessed a nationwide sample of South Korea and found the risk of completed suicide was three times higher in suicide survivors than in bereaved families with non-suicide deaths.

US-based orphan Jennie Ostendorf, whose father hung himself in 2020, five months before her mother took her own life following a battle with chronic depression, gave insight into the reality of losing both parents to suicide in a blog post shared on Medium.

She explained how the anniversary of their deaths reminds her how the tragedies stole her childhood: ‘All of this is to say, this time of year marks the death of my life as I knew it. It marks the ultimate role reversal. It marks a coming of age I did not want and was not prepared for.

Here, Femail reveals the tragic instances where parents have taken their lives after suffering the loss of their partner, leaving a trail of children left orphaned.

ERIN JAYNE AND ALAN PLUMMER 

The husband of an Australian TV presenter who took her own life following a mental health battle tragically died in a suspected self-harm incident, leaving their three children orphaned.

Erin Jayne Plummer, a host on morning talk show Studio 10, died by suicide in 2022, leaving behind her heartbroken husband and their three daughters, who were described as ‘mini-me’s’ of the popular presenter.

Alan Plummer, 49, was found dead on Sunday in Freshwater on Sydney‘s northern beaches, with a source familiar with the situation describing his death as ‘tragic’.

In a statement, a NSW Police Force spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner regarding the death of a 49-year-old man at Freshwater on Sunday.’ 

The tragedy comes just two months after Mr Plummer sold the family’s four-bedroom Freshwater home, which they had owned for more than two decades, in a private settlement pre-auction. 

The property, which was purchased by the Plummers for $675,000 in 2002, was initially listed for sale in March this year. Alan was the former director of a now-defunct company called Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD. No further details on his death are available at this time.

Erin was just 42 when she died following mental health difficulties, with her friends saying at the time that they wished they could have done more to ‘help carry the weight of her pain’.

She was a doting mother and ‘loved her girls boundlessly’, friends said, but struggled during the Covid pandemic and had not been her ‘bouncy, energetic self’ in the weeks before her death.

Erin’s father Peter described her daughters as her ‘little mini versions of her’, and speaking at her funeral, the presenter’s eldest child shared her heartache at losing her beloved mother.

‘Each day that passes I still don’t believe that she’s gone,’ the 15-year-old said. She continued: ‘That a family of three girls will grow up without our mum. This is the thought I can’t seem to get over.’ 

‘Mum was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her everything to take my sisters and I to 40 activities each week.

‘She brought so much light to the world that we didn’t realise her heart was in so much pain.’

The teenager concluded the touching tribute: ‘Mum, I hope heaven treats you better than we ever could. She’s not ours anymore but we are hers forever.’

Erin’s youngest daughter also spoke, telling those gathered, ‘My mum was the best person ever. I will always love you dearly mum.’

Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Plummer family with hiring a gardener and housekeeper to ‘keep the household running’ raised almost $28,000. 

Neighbours also rallied around the family, cooking their meals and bringing them food in the wake of Erin’s death. 

During her career hosting advertorials, Erin appeared on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’.

She was also a presenter for Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The instructional aerobics TV series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40million people at its peak and was broadcast in more than 80 countries.

In addition to her TV career, Erin was an accomplished synchronised swimmer who represented Australia at three world championships and won 11 national titles.

Erin was thrust into the spotlight at a young age when she was scouted at Sydney’s Manly Beach and cast in a tourism campaign that aired on NBC in America.

But it was her role as a TV presenter for which she was best known. Over the years, she promoted everything from massage chairs and workout programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.

When she wasn’t in front of the camera, Erin also did countless voice-overs for TV.

CLAYTON OSTEEN AND VICTORIA PACHECO

A Florida sheriff deputy killed himself ‘for reasons completely unknown’ on New Year’s Eve 2021, starting a tragic chain of events that saw his girlfriend kill herself two days later, leaving their six week-old baby son orphaned.  

Shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve Lucie Sheriff’s Office Deputy Clayton Osteen, 24, attempted suicide but survived and was taken to a hospital. His family later made the decision to remove him from life support. 

Two days after Osteen’s fatal suicide attempt, his partner, colleague and the mother of his one-month-old son, Victoria Pacheco, 23, took her own life.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the couple’s son Jayce said: ‘Tragically, for reasons completely unknown and totally out of character, Clayton took his own life December 31st, 2021. 

‘Reeling from the shock of loss, Victoria took her own life two days later.’

It continued: ‘Clayton and Victoria were joy-filled, first-time parents excited about their growing family, enamored with their baby Jayce, and so in love with each other.’ 

Family and friends reeled from the loss and expressed shock at the parents’ choice to end their lives, saying they were as happy as ever after welcoming their new baby and that the reason behind the drastic actions are unknown.   

Osteen and Pacheco served on the force since November 2019 and February 2020, respectively. 

Osteen’s brother, also a St. Lucie Deputy, now cares for Jayce. 

The St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office rallied to raise money to help Osteen’s brother raise Jayce, including accepting essentials like diapers, wipes, gift cards to baby stores and food stores. 

Kelly Ridle, the mother of one Osteen’s and Pacheco’s co-worker, who set up the GoFundMe for Jayce described Osteen’s suicide attempt as ‘unexpected’ and ‘unexplainable’.

‘The grief is deep and painful,’ Ridle wrote on Facebook. ‘Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children. Brothers and best friends should be called upon for support. Babies should grow up surrounded by the love of their parents. 

‘But know my friends, despite this horrendous situation, I’ve witnessed more grace, love, compassion, answered prayers, and even what feels like a few miracles this week than I could imagine even existed among those left behind. We are forever bonded to one another and Jayce.’ 

Osteen was a retired US Marine, previously serving as a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.

He enlisted in May 2015 and was featured in a video about undergoing training in the jungles of Brunei in 2016. 

Authorities did not say what might have prompted the couple’s back-to-back suicides, nor how they died, but Sheriff Mascara noted in his statement that deputies often deal with ‘stress’ and are ‘human’.

‘While it’s impossible for us to fully comprehend the private circumstances leading up to this devastating loss, we pray that this tragedy becomes a catalyst for change, a catalyst to help ease the stigma surrounding mental well-being and normalize the conversation about the challenges so many of us face on a regular basis,’ the sheriff added. 

Friends shared memories and photos of the tragic couple on social media. 

‘A true brother lost his internal battle,’ Ray Tourville wrote of Osteen on Facebook. ‘I struggle with finding the words to write that even remotely does him justice. I’m incredibly sorry that you felt this was your only option.’

MARK AND ANGIE NEVILLE  

Angie Vallance took her life just before Christmas 2018 at the age of 48 – six years after her husband Mark’s body was found near cliffs in their hometown of Newquay, Cornwall – leaving their three sons orphaned.

Mark, a 45-year-old surfboard shaper, was missing for 13 days before his body was discovered at Fistral Beach in 2011, according to The Sun.

The father-of-three to sons Kai, Nat, and Brock was struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts in the months before his death, an inquest into his death heard.

Six years later, Angie took her life. Angela ‘Angie’ Neville, 48, was found dead in the bathroom of her family home in Newquay, Cornwall, just a few weeks before Christmas in 2018.

She had been battling depression and anxiety on top of the trauma of losing her husband Mark, 45, as well as her father and niece through suicide.

Kai said: ‘When I was born my mum was only 18 and throughout my life we had always been very close. She was not only my mum, but also a friend.

‘She was the most caring, loving and kindest lady I have ever known. That was her personality. For myself and the family this was a complete shock. 

‘The last time I spoke to her she seemed really positive. We were speaking about Christmas and the future. She did say she was feeling a bit down because of various issues that were going on. 

‘Since the death of my dad, my mum always appeared really strong and continued to keep the family together. However, I think as the years had gone on, it began to affect her more and more.

‘Over the last two or three years my mother suffered from loneliness. I strongly believe one of the main contributing factors is that mum worried about the boys seeing her when she was down.’

Teacher Kai and his girlfriend live in London and his brothers are living with them. Brock is in a new primary school and Nat has also resumed studies.

Kai said: ‘Myself and my brothers have a strong bond, we have always been close. It’s hard at times like this to keep everyone together but I wouldn’t want my brothers to be anywhere else.’

Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded a conclusion that Mrs Neville had taken her own life after hearing police say there was no third party involvement in her death.

Mark Neville met Angie in Newquay in 1986, one year after he moved from Glasgow – after being a regular visitor to surf as a child with his own dad.

His body was found in February 2011 after he went missing 13 days earlier. An inquest into his death heard he had been battling depression and had suicidal thoughts.

His death was not suspicious but the coroner recorded an open verdict rather than suicide because an accident could not be ruled out.

At the time of Angie’s death, Diane Jones, of Cornwall’s Noah Project charity, said: ‘A few weeks before Christmas, Kai, Nat and Brock lost their dear mum Angie, who sadly took her own life.

‘Angie was a very kind-hearted and generous person, always on the lookout to help others.

‘She lived for her boys, and there is now a massive void in their lives. The boys are naturally heartbroken. They feel great sorrow and will miss their loved mum tremendously.

‘Those who know the family will recall the equally tragic loss of the boy’s father Mark, who also sadly took his own life in 2011. So, the boys are left orphaned and face a difficult path ahead.’

The local community set up a GoFundMe page to help the brothers with costs, raising over £6,000.

The page read: ‘There are a number of practical things the boys will need, particularly in these early months.

Apart from the day-to-day things like rent, food, clothes, school wear etc, the boys will also need help with things such as funeral costs, moving costs, various travel costs and, depending on circumstances, potential costs of furnishing and equipping a new family home.’

THE PARENTS OF DINKAR PATIL

In 2016, nine-year-old Dinkar Patil had not visited his hometown in India for two years.

It was not because he was enjoying time away but because his parents had both committed suicide. 

The sobering reality left his grandmother little choice but to send him to an orphanage with the hopes that their educational facilities may provide him with a better future.

Now, the orphan lives and studies in Ashram. He told the Times of India: ‘There is no one at home, so I just stay here and read my books.

Dinkar’s father took his life after struggling with money issues. Soon after, his mother also took her life.

The orphanage where he stayed in 2016 had at least 100 other children in a similar situation – living away from their hometowns after losing both parents to suicide.

The Times of India said that in 2016, the state revenue department recorded a staggering 3,338 farmer suicides across the Indian state of Maharashtra.

The news outlet highlighted the importance of orphanages, which provide hope for a better future for children, with educational opportunities, food, and clothing.

VIJAY AND PRIYA DWIVEDI 

A garment worker took his life because he could not deal with the trauma of his wife committing suicide, leaving their two-year-old son Pappu behind.

Vijay Dwivedi, 30, hung himself from a fan in his Delhi home in 2017, just ten days after his wife Priya killed herself in the same way after they fought over money.

The father-of-one said at the time of his wife’s death that he didn’t want to see his son raised without a mother.

Following the double tragedy, the Hindustan Times reported that Pappu would likely be raised by family.

Despite family members saying that the family lived peacefully, the Indian news outlet explained that the deaths followed an argument over money in March of that year.

The owner of the couple’s home, called Sewaram, told the publication: ‘Priya had asked Vijay for money to buy some raw food items that morning.

‘When Vijay refused saying he had no cash in pocket, she broke their piggy bank. That resulted in an argument between the couple following which Priya locked herself in her room.’

Family members attempted to communicate with Priya through the door, but they were met with silence, forcing them to break into the room, which is when they found the mother-of-one hanging from the fan.

Vijay’s brother Sanjay said: ‘Since the day Priya died, Vijay would constantly talk about killing himself and joining his wife. He would ask me to look after his son if he died. We used to console him but did not think he would actually kill himself.’

Priya’s sister Shilpa moved into the family home shortly after to help Vijay with household chores and childcare.

She recalled how he would say the home was devoid of happiness following Priya’s death. Ten days after her sister’s death, Vijay took his own life.

Vijay’s suicide note read: ‘Each time my son cried out for his mother, I could not bear it and would weep silently. I feel lonely without Priya and am going to be with her.

Shilpa, who has two children of her own, told the publication that Pappu will be her third child now.

SHAUN ‘KEANO’ KEEN AND KIMBERLEY JAMES

A policeman killed himself one month after his fellow officer girlfriend was found hanged, leaving his daughter without a father.

PC Shaun ‘Keano’ Keen, 49, described as a ‘proud’ family man, was a competitive triathlete and highly-regarded detective sergeant with Devon and Cornwall police.

But his life fell apart when he found his girlfriend, PC Kimberley James, 35, who was not the mother of his child, was found dead at her home in the summer of 2016.

She had reportedly struggled with the pressure and workload of being a police officer, and with the stress of her own divorce.

A coroner in July 2017 heard that PC Keen, who had recently retired, blamed himself for her death.

Shortly afterwards, he was arrested for allegedly having indecent images on his phone, the inquest heard. 

No further detail about the nature of the images were revealed at the inquest in Truro, Cornwall, and he was never charged with an offence.

But days later he took his own life, dying from carbon monoxide poisoning in his car parked at his brother Wayne’s home in Camborne, Cornwall.

His brother, 54, told the inquest that PC Keen had said he would kill himself if the case was ever taken to court because he would have let his family down.

He said: ‘He was extremely dark, extremely depressed after the arrest. He said he would take his own life if it came to court but promised myself and my wife that he wouldn’t do it otherwise.’

The coroner heard that the father-of-one had battled with a number of issues after leaving the force – including breaking up with his ex-wife and struggling financially.

But the sports fanatic and triathlon competitor fell into a deep depression after he found PC James hanged at her home in July 2016 following a row.

In a statement PC Keen’s friend Richard Pascoe said he had spoken to him on the day of his death – and he was a ‘man in crisis’.

‘He talked about Kim’s death,’ he said. ‘He felt under a lot of pressure and felt responsible. He felt in some ways he was to blame.

‘Shaun was a very private person however, this was the most open I had seen him. He seemed close to tears although I never saw him cry.’

An earlier inquest heard that PC James – who won a police bravery award for rescuing a drowning mother and her children in 2015 – died after suffering management bullying and high workloads.

Things had become so bad for PC James that she had asked to be taken off frontline policing after being moved from Falmouth to Truro. She had also struggled with other issues, such as her ongoing divorce.

The coroner at the time returned an open conclusion saying no suicide note or other evidence of intention was found.

She and PC Keen met in 2015 and had a good relationship but the day before her death he had stormed out – ending the relationship. When he returned the next day, he found the mother-of-two dead.

When police officer Steve Harley attended the scene, he told the inquest he found PC Keen ‘in a hysterical state, rocking from side to side’.

He added in his statement: ‘I recognise he [PC Keen] was suffering from a massive guilt complex.’

A statement by PC Keen’s ex-wife, Elaine Keen, was also read out at the inquest. She said that following PC James’s death, she went to the doctor with PC Keen.

‘I thought he was suicidal,’ the statement read. ‘Shaun said to the doctor when he found her [PC James] he felt like doing the same.

‘I’m absolutely devastated by what Shaun (has) done. I think we would have had a future together if he had just held on.’

Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon returned a conclusion of suicide, adding: ‘He was suffering from significant social stresses at the time of his death.’

After the inquest, Wayne said: ‘Shaun was determined to take his own life and that’s it.’

He added that there was ‘room for improvement’ for police officers to get support when they leave the force.

PC Keen, from Plymouth, left behind his wife, Elaine Keen, 52, and their daughter, Bethany.

A tribute read at the time of his death read: ‘Shaun spent 27 years as a serving police officer with the Devon and Cornwall Police service.

‘During that time he held various roles and was made a sergeant in 1999. This new position was challenging and very fulfilling. He was a positive individual and any task set he achieved with dedication and total professionalism.

‘Shaun was a family man who worshipped his daughter. He also enjoyed watching and playing a variety of sports. He was a very proud man and will be sadly missed by all the family. Rest in peace.’ 

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