Woman dies after lighting candles for a romantic evening with her 'imaginary' boyfriend

Updated

When Jane Ellis lit more than a dozen candles in preparation for a romantic evening with her boyfriend, she didn't anticipate that it would be her last, according to a corner's court.

Daily Mail reports that the 46-year old was in a relationship with an imaginary man called 'Ian,' and she would light candles to summon him.

For their latest alleged encounter, she lit 17, and they inadvertently set her house on fire.

Her neighbors rushed to her aid to let her know that the building was burning, but she reportedly slammed the door shut and ignored them.

Authorities later found her lying face-down on the bathroom floor, and she later died at the hospital.

Her brother Andrew Manley told the coroner that the situation could have been prevented.

"We were pleading to speak to the assessor to give further information about her and we were refused point blank from doing so," he said.

One of Ellis' friends told police that Ellis had a history of mental illness.

The inquest is still underway.

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