Woman’s haunting note found in apartment after tragic suicide
A woman left a devastating note before taking her own life just days before her birthday.
Danielle Finlay Brookes, from England, died in May last year while working as a bartender in Spain.
An inquest into her death heard a note found in her flat by a friend contained an apology and a tragic message to loved ones, according to the Metro newspaper.
"I wanted to believe that I could fix this but I cannot," the note said.
"I feel alone all the time and I am exhausted. I am not strong enough to do this on my own. I love you all, do not ever forget that."
The inquest heard in the lead up to her May 17 death she appeared to be "content and happy", expressing excitement about an upcoming spa day to celebrate her birthday with her stepmother.
However Ms Brookes had been previously diagnosed with anxiety and was found dead the day after she had an argument with her friends after a night out at a bar, the Metro reported.
Tragic Facebook posts before woman's death
A series of Facebook posts in the lead up to her death also gave an insight into her state of mind.
On April 29, 2020, Ms Brookes encouraged her friends to "hold onto hope".
"I hope today you smile, even just for a moment," she said.
"I hope you aren't feeling down. I hope you know that people care and I hope you remember how loved you are.
"I hope you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you know you won't feel like this forever.
"I beg you to hold onto that hope."
In another post, she wrote there was "no argument or problem that talking cannot solve".
"Speak to each other, be there for each other, never let anyone feel alone," she wrote.
"Life's too short."
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She then posted a picture that contained words of advice for people to live by.
"Hug everyone you love a lot tighter, never leave someone in an argument, be present, say I love you way too much, take a lot of pictures with the ones you love," the advice stated.
"You never know when it'll be the last time you see them. Please don't take any second for granted."
'No signs' woman planned death
Coroner Claire Welch ruled Ms Brookes had died by suicide, the Metro reported.
"The background given to me about the period before her death shows there were no signs she was planning to do what she did," she told the inquest.
"Sadly, it seems to me she was making her intentions clear, as she was apologising for what she did in her note.
"It suggests to me an element of forward planning and unfortunately, it is likely it was her intention to end her life."
A GoFundMe page set up following her death raised more than $7000 to go towards bringing Ms Brookes and her belongings back to England from Spain.
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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