Tania Clarence suffocated three of the couple’s children, all of whom were disabled, while her husband was on holiday in South Africa with their eldest daughter Taya, 8.
Mrs Clarence killed the children in their beds and then attempted to take her own life - leaving a note for her husband to say she was ‘so, so sorry’ but that she had become unable to cope with the stress of caring for three disabled kids.
'I'LL NEVER FORGIVE MAIREAD FOR KILLING HER SIX CHILDREN'
Her husband Gary (pictured above) has now vowed to stand by his clinically depressed wife, saying he hoped ‘never again will a family endure the unbearable pressure that overwhelmed her.’
The family’s lawyer Richard Egan said: ‘The Clarence family, and in particular Tania Clarence, dedicated their lives to the care and welfare of their three severely disabled children.’
'MY DAUGHTER MURDERED MY WIFE AND SONS, BUT I'VE FORGIVEN HER'
‘Her love, commitment and tenacity in the face of the overwhelming responsibilities such care entailed was extraordinary.’
‘Ultimately, her story of dedication and love became a story of despair and utter hopelessness.’
The mother of four wrote a suicide note to her husband explaining her actions, telling him: ‘Gary, I need to tell you how difficult it is for me to take Liv’s life. I am so ghastly and I feel every ounce of it for doing this.
‘The boys were bad enough. I am struggling with Liv. I waited until the boys were asleep. The same with Liv. If I could take my own life and leave her to wait for you I would. But the wait will be as traumatic.
‘This is so bad and I am so, so sorry. My only solace is that pain and future suffering I am saving her from.’
‘This is so bad and I am so, so sorry. My only solace is that pain and future suffering I am saving her from.’
She also wrote earlier: ‘I cannot face going down this path watching Liv and the boys continue to get weaker.’
All three of the deceased children suffered from a degenerative muscular disorder.
Tania was given a medical order rather than a jail sentence by the judge in the case, and she will not be allowed to leave a secure psychiatric facility until she has recovered.