Incidents of mercy killings/suicide-pacts reported to the MPS from 2015 to 2020

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.023630

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am writing to request anonymous information about domestic homicide offences (incorporating murder and manslaughter) recorded between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020 where the suspect/offender has claimed either:

1. The killing was a mercy killing (i.e. that they were assisting the victim to die, that they killed them in an act of compassion);

2. The killing occurred as part of a suicide-pact.

Domestic homicide is defined to reflect the statutory definition of domestic abuse as any killing perpetrated by an individual aged 16 or over where the victim is an intimate partner OR family member.

As the request is only concerned with domestic homicides it is not anticipated that the number of cases will be sufficient enough to trigger a S12 refusal.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Our records for the period requested indicates that one case made reference to assisted/mercy killing. None of the records held include information relating to suicide-pacts.