Mum Found Dead in Home Partially Eaten by Her Own Dogs
A mum-of-two was found dead in her home, with police confirming her body had been partially eaten by her beloved sausage dogs.
Body Discovered Weeks After Death
Jemma Hart, 45, was discovered in her Swindon home on January 29, 2024, after neighbours raised concerns. The mother-of-two had not been seen since Christmas 2023, prompting locals to contact police. Officers who attended the scene tragically found Jemma deceased in her living room.
Beloved Pets Left Alone
Jemma, a devoted dog lover, owned two dachshunds named Frankie and Millie. Her son told an inquest that the dogs were “her life” and that she was often seen walking them in her local area. One of the dogs, Millie, was still a puppy, while Frankie had a reputation for aggression. A neighbour said: “Frankie was vicious. He didn’t like people or other dogs.”
Neighbours Sound Alarm
Neighbour Lorraine explained how she tried to check on Jemma after hearing her dogs barking. Unable to open the door due to a key in the lock from the inside, she eventually contacted police, who carried out a welfare check and found the body. One dog was found dead, while the other was in a “distressed condition”.
Police Confirm Dogs Ate Body
A police officer attending the scene reported the dogs had eaten parts of Jemma’s body after her death. There were no signs of other injuries or foul play. The death was not treated as suspicious.
Mental Health Struggles
Jemma had long-standing health and mobility issues, which caused her to stop working. She suffered from chronic pain and insomnia and was known to Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health team, although she had not had contact with them in recent years.
Coroner Records Suicide
A post-mortem examination confirmed Jemma died from suicide. Coroner Ian Singleton told the inquest: “Jemma lived alone with her two dogs. She was estranged from her family and was found with injuries caused by the dogs after she died. Her death has been recorded as suicide.”
Her tragic passing has left neighbours shocked, with many expressing sadness over the grim discovery and the loneliness she experienced in her final days.
