The partner of murdered Rachael Slack, who was killed alongside her toddler son, has issued a heartfelt plea asking why the pair had to die.
The tragic deaths of 38-year-old Rachael, who was pregnant, and her son Auden, 23 months, rocked the close-knit community of Holbrook, in June.
The pair were believed by police to have been stabbed to death at their home by Rachael's ex-partner A
ndrew Cairns, who then turned the knife on himself.
Officers confirmed they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Cairns, 44, was a patient of Derbyshire Mental Health Services Trust at the time of the incident and had been arrested under the mental health act just one week before, after allegedly threatening to kill Rachael.
Now her partner is looking for answers as to why more was not done by the mental health authorities to prevent the deaths of Rachael, Auden, and the couple's unborn child.
The 38-year-old, who asked only to be named as Robert, said: "I can't tell you the pain I am in.
"My body wants to get on with life, but my heart won't let me. I want the answers and I won't stop until I get them.
"I am majorly angry and majorly disappointed. There were signs. She was a single mother struggling through on her own and he leaned on her every single day.
"She didn't want to give up on him, but it doesn't take a genius to work out that something was going to give."
Robert, who had been with Rachael for six months, said that in the months before the deaths, Cairns had rung Rachael constantly, claiming he was ill and asking for help.
He said Cairns had used Rachael for support throughout their two and a half year relationship and afterwards, but the situation worsened when he learned of her relationship with Robert.
Robert said: "I always wondered why she was so tired all the time, but as we spent more time together I realised he was draining the life out of her, calling her all the time and making demands." He added that Rachael had spoken extensively to the mental health trust about Cairns, who he said clearly needed support.
In the week leading up to Rachael and Auden's deaths, Robert said Cairns visited her at home and refused to leave.
When she drove him back to his house in Marehay, he would not get out of the car. Rachael eventually had to call the police to have him removed, he said.
Just days later he allegedly threatened to kill her when the pair were both out with their son.
Robert said he and Rachael later went to the police station to report the alleged threat.
He added: "I wanted to protect her, but I couldn't do it 24-7.I never thought I would come back one day to see everyone stabbed to death."
Cairns was bailed by police on the condition that he did not go near his ex-partner and son without the permission of a solicitor, but less than a week later he broke the condition and went to the house, where he is believed to have stabbed the pair and then himself.
On the day of the deaths, Robert received a call at work telling him something was wrong. He arrived at Well Yard to find the cottage cordoned off.
He said: "As I ran up to the house all the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I knew something horrendous had happened. I walked up to the main window and could not believe what I saw. I couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. I went into shock.
"If just one person does not have to endure what I and the rest of the family have to carry for the rest of our lives because lessons have been learned from this, then her death will not have been in vain," he added.
The mental health trust last week completed an investigation into its dealings with Cairns, but said it will not reveal its findings until an inquest into the three deaths is held. The coroner has not yet set a date for the hearing.
Paul Lumsdon, executive director of nursing and quality at the mental health trust, said: "I have personally met with Robert and completely respect his perspective about the care provided to Andrew Cairns.
"However, our internal investigation had the benefit of being able to comprehensively examine all aspects of the care package provided to
Andrew over the whole two years he was involved with our service, and interview every member of staff who had contact with him.
"The report now sits with HM Coroner and in support of the inquiries into these tragic deaths."
An independent police inquiry was also launched after the deaths to probe the actions of officers in their dealings with Cairns in the lead up to the incident. This type of investigation is standard procedure in circumstances such as this. The investigation has yet to be completed.
A serious case review has also been launched by Derbyshire County Council social services, which will look into whether any lessons can
be learned from the tragic death of Auden Slack.
