Mum, 32, who took her own life had 'severe flashbacks of gang rape'
A “kind and loving” mum committed suicide last year after enduring severe flashbacks of a gang rape, a coroner’s court heard this week.
Nicola McIntyre was found dead at her home in East Hull, in the UK, on August 29 last year.
The 32-year-old, who worked at a shop, took numerous prescription medications while dealing with the aftermath of a brutal assault and the revelation a friend from work had slept with her live-in partner, the Hull Coroner’s Court heard, The Sun reported.
Ms McIntyre had suffered from mental health issues since the age of four when her parents divorced, her sister Sarah said.
She became an apprentice hairdresser after leaving the school at aged 16 but went on to have a series of challenging relationships.
The 32-year-old had a son but the relationship with the dad did not last and she moved out and most recently lived with her latest partner, the inquest heard.
After getting a new job, Ms McIntyre made friends with a colleague, who later confessed to the mum that she was sleeping with her boyfriend.
Ms McIntyre felt “betrayed” and at around the same time also began experiencing “vivid memories and flashbacks” of a gang rape, the publication reported.
Her other sister, Hayley Todd, told the court in the last month of her life, Ms McIntyre was unwell and “would go nuts”.
“I could see that she was changing and becoming deeply depressed,” she said.
"She told me that she went to get help from multiple mental health charities.
“She told me that she felt that no one was helping and that she was failing.”
The three sisters had a three-hour WhatsApp video call just two days before Ms McIntyre’s unresponsive body was found in her home.
Hayley and Sarah said the 32-year-old seemed “very happy” despite the coronavirus lockdown intensifying her mental health issues.
“She lit up the room and loved to laugh,” Sarah said.
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“At family gatherings, you would always know where she was because you could hear her laughing,” she said.
At the end of the hearing, Coroner rosemary Baxter ruled Ms McIntyre had taken her own life.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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