Euthanasia activist says women found dead in Gold Coast unit ‘planned and researched’ deaths

EUTHANASIA activist Philip Nitschke has confirmed three women who died in a suicide pact on the Gold Coast had “planned and researched” their deaths.

A EUTHANASIA activist has confirmed three women who died on the Gold Coast had “planned and researched” their deaths.

Margaret, Heather and Wynette Cummins’ bodies were found in one of their homes, on Ephraim Island, following an apparent triple suicide pact yesterday.

Philip Nitschke said he did not personally know the women but confirmed they had joined his group.

“It was a bit over six months ago,” he said from Amsterdam.

“They were not terminally ill people but on the other hand, they were not in the best of health either.

“The Cummins’ had been members ... and subscribed to the ... handbook.”

An aerial of Ephraim Island, Paradise Point. Picture: Mike Batterham

Dr Nitschke said the triple suicide pact was unusual but the “planning and research by the women that took place over a number of months indicated that this was a rational decision”.

Detective Senior-Sergeant Mark Procter of the Coomera Crime Investigative Branch said all three women died the same way within the small unit.

“The husband of one of the women has been shopping and come back to find the (women deceased),” he said.

“He’s pretty shaken.”

BREAKING: Police suspect three women who were found dead on the Gold Coast died as a result of a suicide pact. #7News pic.twitter.com/2pwgj3RKtL

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Det Procter said all three women were believed to have had medical issues.

“(The husband) is not surprised that has happened, I think he’s surprised it’s three of them at once.”

According to local residents, the mother had been living with a disabled daughter on the island for a number of years.

It is understood the other daughter moved in with her husband in the adjoining building less than 12 months ago.

Police at the incident scene at Ephraim Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

Last night a number of police investigated the scene with firefighters and paramedics called to the area as well.

A spokesman for the Queensland Fire Emergency Services said they were called to make the scene safe before entering just after 3pm.

Paramedics later declared the women deceased and said they “didn’t need to treat ­anyone.”

Police at the incident scene at Ephraim Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

Local Lance Cushion, who has lived in the area for more than two years said the island was generally quiet.

“You very rarely have any incidents at Ephraim Island so to hear something like occur is quite alarming,” he said.

Resident Frank Lambert said it was shocking and the island was normally a “pleasant place” to live.

Police at the incident scene at Ephraim Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It’s very sad that this happened,” he said.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said he wasn’t surprised by the tragedy.

He said he had met the family in the halls of the building every now and then, describing one of the women as “nervy”.

Det Senior Srgt Procter said there were no suspicious circumstances.

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