Woman killed herself after eating disorder battle (From Knutsford Guardian)

Woman killed herself after eating disorder battle

4:40pm Friday 1st April 2011 in News By David Morgan

A MARTHALL woman took her own life after a battle with depression and an eating disorder, an inquest has heard.

Helen Williams, of Sandlebridge Lane, hanged herself on October 2, 2010.

At Macclesfield Town Hall on Friday, deputy coroner, Janet Napier, heard that the 38-year-old had suffered with eating problems since the age of 13.

“Her shape and weight were everything to her,” said Dr Robert Stephenson, of Toft Road Surgery, in a report for the coroner.

Ms Williams met her partner, Geoffrey Goostrey, in May 2008.

But in 2009 she had ‘suicidal thoughts’ and had a large quantity of paracetamol tablets.

Mr Goostrey, a computer analyst, said: “It was somehow in the tone of her voice. I felt very concerned and decided to go home.”

When Mr Goostrey arrived home, he discovered the packets of tablets.

However, Ms Williams made a full recovery and changed jobs from a child protection worker to a social worker at the end of 2009 to reduce pressure on herself.

Ms Williams and Mr Goostrey also made plans to make home improvements.

Mr Goostrey added: “It seemed like we were making a home for us. It was good.”

But on October 2, 2010, Ms Williams killed herself using an electric cable.

Det Con Keith Graham, of CID, said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Dr Napier described it as an ‘unbelievable shock’ to the family and recorded a verdict that Ms Williams took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.

She said: “Helen was very much loved by everybody.

“She had a supportive family and a supportive partner.

“She obviously had a stressful job but was a very capable lady.

It was a terrible tragedy for you.”