Final hours before murder-suicide captured in text messages

A coroner's inquest into the death of Patricia Hennessey and her four-year-old son Nash Campbell heard its most emotional testimony of the week on Wednesday, including from members on both sides of Nash Campbell's family.

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Hennessey and her son died in a vehicle fire in June 2013 in St. Felix in western P.E.I. The deaths were ruled a murder-suicide. Prince County coroner Dr. Roy Montgomery is presiding over the inquest with a six-member jury.

The day before they died, on June 20, Hennessey lost custody of her son to the boy's father, Marc Campbell. Hennessey would, however, still have specific days with Nash. Custody was to be transferred at 9 a.m. the next day. The court transcript of the judge's decision, entered into the inquest today, shows Hennessey's lawyer suggesting Nash Campbell could be dropped off at his day care in the morning. 

Campbell's lawyer agreed as did the judge, who commented that exchange would reduce the possibility of contact and conflict between the parents.

In texts to a friend around 7 p.m. a short while after the hearing, Hennessey said she would not be handing over her son.

"This is the end of my life," she wrote. "Nash is not going to that monster."

Testimony from Hennessey's mother

Hennessey's mother told the inquest her daughter picked up Nash after the hearing and took him to Toys R Us to buy him a toy. An RCMP officer testified store video shows the pair there between 7:18 p.m. and 8:49 p.m.

Rita Hennessey said she was concerned when her daughter didn't come back. Her family went looking for her, and cancelled a debit card she had borrowed after the hearing.

An RCMP officer also read out a series of texts between Hennessey and her sister, Cheryl MacAulay.

The texts start with assurances she is OK, and just needs to spend time with Nash. Hennessey goes on to tell her sister she and Nash only need each other and her "heart is broken." MacAulay pleads with her to bring Nash home; Hennessey says her "life is over" if she can't see Nash every day.

MacAulay also took the stand, and told the inquest she made numerous efforts to reach Hennessey that night. She told the courtroom Trish Hennessey loved her son, her family and life.

The inquest heard that Hennessey sent a text to Marc Campbell at 11:31 p.m.

"I vowed to protect Nash from you, your mother, your father. Today was not a victory," she wrote.

RCMP told the inquest that MacAulay wrote again after that, saying if Hennessey doesn't come home she will call the police. Hennessey responds she will never forgive her if she does.

That text was sent at 12:15 a.m. The SUV they were driving in was discovered in flames less an hour later.

Nash's father a last minute witness

Marc Campbell's mother, Bernadette also took the stand. She told the inquest she wrote to child and family services in March 2013 warning that Hennessey was dangerous. She outlined a series of incidents of concerning behaviour on the part of Hennessey, dating back to before Nash's birth.

The Crown then announced the end of testimony for the day, saying proceedings would resume March 30.

Marc Campbell objected, saying he had things he wanted to say.

Montgomery agreed to hear his testimony, and he was sworn in.

Campbell told the inquest he was taking the stand to be a voice for his murdered son.

Campbell said Nash was born premature and fought for life.

"All those who had opportunities to save my son failed," he said.

"People in these positions should be aware that men can be victims."

Campbell told the inquest all the allegations against him were dropped or stayed due to lack of evidence. He said he'd spent tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees, and that because he's a six foot male, he was presumed to be the guilty party. 

Campbell said Patricia Hennessey made his life a nightmare. He told the inquest it's clear who the victims are: his murdered son, his family and himself.

Campbell told the inquest P.E.I. should have a child advocate to be a voice for children in custody disputes.

Court orders, he said, should come with an enforcement clause, adding that Hennessey refused him access to Nash for months.

Campbell called his son a hero, and said he admired his bravery.

The inquest then adjourned until March 30.