Mum Killed on Family Holiday After Tragic Blow from Partner Ends in Unthinkable Nightmare
A mum-of-three who went on a family holiday to the Isle of Man but never returned home was killed after suffering a “heavy blow” to the neck from her partner, a coroner has concluded. Jillian Hughes, 57, tragically died following an incident on Friday, March 29, 2024, during what was supposed to be a celebratory Easter weekend.
Jillian, a mental health support worker from Kirkby, was visiting the island with members of her family, including her granddaughter and her then-partner John Meadows, 53. The trip took a devastating turn during their first evening when a fatal altercation occurred outside the Palace Hotel on Central Promenade, Douglas, according to the Liverpool Echo.
At around 9:20 pm, Jillian was struck by Meadows after an argument unfolded. The inquest, held at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool on December 16, revealed that Jillian sustained a “heavy blow” to the left side of her neck. She became unresponsive and fell to the ground, suffering a cardiac arrest.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and Jillian was rushed to Noble’s Hospital in the Isle of Man. Despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead at 10:28 pm that evening.
Coroner André Rebello ruled that Jillian’s death was the result of an “unlawful and dangerous act”, concluding that she had been “unlawfully killed” due to the fatal blow. Meadows, of Verney Crescent in Allerton, was charged with manslaughter. He pleaded guilty during a court appearance in the Isle of Man on October 11 and was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison.
Following the tragic loss, Jillian’s family released an emotional tribute, describing her as “one in a million”: “Our Jill was one in a million. She was such a happy, sarcastic, hardworking, and passionate person.”
The family added:
“We want everyone to know that Jill was a well-respected mum of three to Chantelle, Sarah, and Megan; also nan to Billy, Georgie, and Maiya. Jill was a true diamond who thrived for life. She was liked and loved everywhere she went, her huge smile would light up a room.”
In their heart-wrenching statement, they expressed their devastation: “We as a family will never ever be able to come to terms with what has happened, we are all living a complete nightmare. This killing should never have taken place.”
Jillian’s tragic death has left her loved ones grieving a senseless loss, as they continue to honor her memory and cope with their unimaginable heartbreak.