A “loving” mum ended her life after being brutally gang-raped by a sick group of thugs.
Nicola McIntyre, 32, could not stop having “vivid memories and flashbacks” of her savage attack which added to her mental health issues, HullLive reports.
Speaking at Hull Coroner’s Court on Monday following Nicola’s death on August 29 last year, sister Sarah McIntyre paid a touching tribute, describing her as “kind, loving and so much fun”.
The court heard shop worker Nicola first developed mental health issues aged just four when her parents split and struggled with relationships as an adult, including the dad of her son.
A “betrayal” by a work friend who she suspected was “conspiring with” her partner, added to Nicola’s depression and anxiety which she sought help for.
Nicola was tragically found unresponsive at her home in Anson Road, east Hull, after taking a number of prescribed medications and was later pronounced dead at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Sarah said: “She lit up the room and loved to laugh. At family gatherings, you would always know where she was because you could hear her laughing.
“She was really family orientated, and loved children and animals – more often than not you’d find her sat on the floor playing with children and our family dogs.
“Nicola was incredibly creative. She loved writing stories and crafting, often making family members thoughtful, personalised gifts… She was really house proud and was a big Mrs Hinch fan, and loved sharing her cleaning hacks with us.”
The court heard that Nicola was trying to get professional help to help with her problems but felt she was not getting the right care.
Sister Hayley Todd told the court: “I could see that she was changing and becoming deeply depressed.
“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.”
In the final month of her life, Nicola was unwell and frightened “she would go nuts”, according to Hayley.
She said the coronavirus lockdown also had an adverse effect on Nicola’s mental health while difficulties in her circle of friends “made her feel more anxious”.
On August 27, Hayley said Nicola seemed “very happy” when the three sisters took part in a three-hour WhatsApp video call.
Coroner Rosemary Baxter concluded Nicola had died as a result of suicide.
After the inquest, Nicola’s sister Sarah said: “We are still trying to come to terms with Nicola’s death and are all truly devastated.
“Our hearts are forever broken and she will be missed each and every day.”