Mother, 21, took her own life after suffering post-natal depression

A young mother took her own life while her son slept in the living room after suffering post-natal depression and losing both of her parents, an inquest was told.

Zoe Winstanley, 21, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, was found dead at home by her partner, Bradley Marshall, on April 24 this year, Bolton Coroner's Court heard.

Mr Marshall went to her home in Scholes after she called him and asked him to collect their son, the inquest heard. He was praised by a coroner for doing 'everything you could in the crucial few seconds after discovering where she was'. 

The inquest heard Mr Marshall carried his partner to the front garden and performed CPR. Neighbours also rushed out to help, but she was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Ms Winstanley went into care and lived with a foster family from 2016. Her mother died a year later, seven years after the death of her father.

Giving evidence, her sister Jessica King said: 'All she ever wanted was her own family. She wanted to be loved.'

The court heard of 'suicidal ideation' on Ms Winstanley's part going back to 2019 and that she had post-natal depression after the birth of her son. Her relationship with Mr Marshall was also said to have had its 'ups and downs'.

During a night out on April 13, three days before her death, Ms Winstanley indicated to friends an intention to take her own life, a witness said.

Giving evidence, the friend said Ms Winstanley told her in a bar in Wigan: 'I am going to do it, it does not matter what you say or do, but just not yet, not any time soon.'

Ms Winstanley, the inquest heard, had a 'strong support network' and the friends she was with checked up on her and messaged her over the following days.

Giving evidence, her sister Jessica King paid a touching tribute to her, telling the court: 'We were one person. She lived with me until she went on to get her own house. We went on holidays every single year. We were one person - we spoke every day.'

Ms King said there was 'no indication or any need for us to worry that her mental health was suppressed'. Ms King said: 'All she ever wanted was her own family. She wanted to be loved. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She did deal with a lot very, very well.'

In a statement, Mr Marshall described Ms Winstanley as 'loving and caring' and said she was 'the best mother ever to our son'.

A cause of death was given as ligature strangulation. Coroner Michael Pemberton recorded a conclusion of suicide, saying he was satisfied on the balance of probabilities 'there was an intention' and Ms Winstanley had 'made arrangements for the collecting of her son'.

He said evidence heard showed she was a 'loving mum' who had suffered 'some adverse childhood experiences' and had mental health difficulties.

Mr Pemberton said Ms Winstanley received support and assistance from the council after leaving care and from her foster family. He referenced the 'strong support network', but said Ms Winstanley sometimes 'avoided that network'.

Mr Pemberton said: 'She was not always one to seek help,' said the coroner. 'She would sometimes say she was busy as a dismissal of that help.'

Offering his condolences, Mr Pemberton added: 'It is very clear to me that Zoe was a much-loved family member and friend.'

After the inquest, Ms King added: 'She was happy-go-lucky and would do anything for anyone.'

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