A mother-of-two was found dead in her Swindon home with her body partially eaten by her pet dachshunds, an inquest has heard.
Jemma Hart, 45, was discovered on January 29, 2024, after concerned neighbours alerted police.
Her remains had been partially mauled by her two sausage dogs, Millie and Frankie, who had been left without food following her death.
Police made the grim discovery after neighbours realised they hadn't seen Hart since Christmas.
Jemma Hart was discovered on January 29, 2024, after concerned neighbours alerted police
Residents who would often see Hart walking her dogs grew concerned when she didn't respond to text messages.
Her neighbour Lorraine told reporters she could hear the dogs barking but received no answer when knocking on the door.
"I tried the key she had given me but I couldn't unlock the door because there was a key on the inside of the lock," Lorraine explained.
She then requested police conduct a welfare check, leading to the discovery.
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Hart had split from her long-term boyfriend during the Christmas period in 2023, just weeks before her death
Hart was described by her neighbour as a "troubled soul" who had "mental health problems".
She had split from her long-term boyfriend during the Christmas period in 2023, just weeks before her death.
When officers entered the property, they found one of Hart's dogs had also died.
The second dachshund was found in a "distressed" condition after the pair had been left without food.
At an inquest into her death, a post-mortem report by toxicologist Peter Street confirmed Hart died by suicide.
Coroner Ian Singleton concluded: "Jemma lived alone with her two dogs in Swindon and she was estranged from her family."
"Jemma was found in her home with injuries caused by dogs after she died. Her death has been recorded as suicide."
Hart's two dogs, Frankie and Millie
Hart was described by her neighbour as a 'troubled soul' who had 'mental health problems'
Hart's son spoke at the inquest and said the dogs meant everything to her.
Hart acquired her first dachshund, Frankie, in 2022.
She added a second sausage dog, Millie, to her household the following year.
According to details shared by Coroner Ian Singleton, Hart frequently walked her beloved pets in Lydiard Park.
Her son shared a tribute on Facebook last year, stating she had passed away unexpectedly on January 29.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
