June and Jennifer Gibbons

Jennifer Gibbons died 1993

June and Jennifer Gibbons were identical twins born on April 11, 1963, in Barbados, and later moved to Haverfordwest, Wales. They became known as "The Silent Twins" because they communicated only with each other, speaking in a rapid, idiosyncratic language that was unintelligible to others. Their unique bond and the extreme measures they took to isolate themselves from the outside world have made their story a subject of fascination and study in the fields of psychology and literature.

Early Life

The Gibbons family moved to Haverfordwest, Wales, in the early 1970s. June and Jennifer were the only black children in their community, which led to isolation and bullying at school. This hostile environment exacerbated the twins' withdrawal into their own world. They spoke to no one but each other and their younger sister, Rose. Their language, a sped-up Bajan Creole, became increasingly cryptic and exclusive, making it difficult for even their own family to understand them.

Education and Isolation

Their communication difficulties led to their eventual withdrawal from the educational system. They were sent to a series of special schools but continued to be inseparable and communicated only with each other. Their refusal to interact with others led to their diagnosis of selective mutism, a severe anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations.

Creative Outlets and Legal Troubles

In their teenage years, June and Jennifer discovered a passion for writing. They each wrote several novels, which were set in the United States and involved young people engaging in criminal behavior. Despite their creativity, the twins' lives took a darker turn when they started committing acts of vandalism and petty theft, which eventually led to their arrest. Their criminal activities were seen as a cry for help, an attempt to break out of their self-imposed isolation.

Psychiatric Hospitalization

Following their arrest, June and Jennifer were committed to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital, in 1982. They were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Their treatment at Broadmoor was controversial; they were heavily medicated and spent a significant amount of time in solitary confinement. The twins remained in Broadmoor for 11 years, a period during which their relationship was subjected to intense scrutiny by psychologists and the media.

The Pact and Jennifer's Death

Throughout their lives, June and Jennifer had a complex relationship characterized by deep affection and intense rivalry. They often spoke of the belief that one must die for the other to live a normal life. In March 1993, upon their transfer from Broadmoor to a less secure facility, Jennifer suddenly died from acute myocarditis, a sudden inflammation of the heart. There was no evidence of drugs or poison in her system, and her death remains a mystery. Following Jennifer's death, June began to speak and interact with others, leading a relatively normal life.

Legacy

The story of June and Jennifer Gibbons has been the subject of books, documentaries, and articles, exploring themes of identity, language, and the deep psychological bond between twins. Their lives raise questions about the nature of communication, the need for connection, and the complexities of mental health.