A former lecturer who lost both her son and husband in tragic circumstances has been found dead in her home.
Jacqui James left her job as senior lecturer in computing at UCLan two years ago, shortly after her son was found dead in his bedroom after accidentally hanging himself with a belt which was strapped to his bunk-bed.
In 2004, Jacqui’s husband David died from multiple sclerosis.
A neighbour called police to her house at Turner Avenue, Lostock Hall, near Preston on August 29. Police broke into the house and found her body. Her body had been left for several weeks.
Martin Brown, who was head of computing when Jacqui was still at UCLan, said that she was a good lecturer. He said: “Jacqui was a very committed lecturer well liked by staff and students alike. She was very supportive of the students needs. She taught students in computing but also across the University.
Brown added: “She coped very well for many years whilst her husband had MS. I spoke to Jacqui once since she left, although I know that she kept in touch with several members of staff from the Department.”
Lancashire Police said that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:20 am
Oh no, I am so shocked and saddened by this news. I was taught by Jacqui between 1997 and 1999 at the University. She was a superb lecturer, possibly one of my favourite at the University. She also helped me as I mentioned I’d left the scouts to come to University and she helped me get back into scouts, as she was a scout leader too. I was just wondering today how she is and if she’s still at UCLan, or whether she’d gone on to do better things.
My condolences go to her family and friends, she was a superb person, really friendly and always smiling.
RIP – Jacqui.