The story revolves around identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons, born in 1963 in Barbados. The twins developed a unique and intense bond, speaking in their own language and exhibiting identical mannerisms. After facing racism and bullying in school, they became isolated and created their own world. As they grew older, their relationship became increasingly complex and violent, with instances of self-harm and attempted murder.
Eventually, they were institutionalized at Broadmoor Hospital in England, where they were diagnosed with schizophrenia. A journalist named Marjorie Wallace gained their trust and discovered that they had made a pact where one would die to free the other.
Tragically, Jennifer died in 1993, and her death was found to be due to natural causes. After her sister's passing, June was released from the hospital and went on to live a normal life with her parents. She eventually stopped taking medication and was no longer monitored by doctors or hospitals.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The twins, Jennifer and June Gibbons, were born on April 11, 1963, in Barbados.
2. They were born 10 minutes apart, with Jennifer being the younger twin.
3. The twins had an incredibly close bond from birth and were rarely separated.
4. They were the daughters of Gloria and Aubrey Gibbons, Caribbean immigrants who moved to England.
5. The twins experienced racism and bullying in school, which led to them becoming isolated and developing their own language.
6. They were given psychological tests, which showed that they had an extremely close relationship.
7. The twins began to write stories and novels, which were later published in a magazine called New Origin.
8. They were diagnosed with schizophrenia and were given large amounts of medication, which caused them to develop involuntary movements.
9. The twins were institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital, where they continued to act strangely and were eventually separated.
10. A journalist named Marjorie Wallace discovered their story and became the first person to gain their trust.
11. The twins had made a pact that one of them had to die to free the other.
12. Jennifer died in 1993, at the age of 30, from a heart inflammation that caused cardiac arrest.
13. After Jennifer's death, June was released from the hospital and was able to live a normal life with her parents in Wales.
14. June was no longer monitored by doctors or hospitals and was able to live a normal life.