Furious Manchester Evening News readers have vented their anger and despair following the shocking death of a loving mum-of-four from Tameside who was 'failed at every level.'
Karen McBride was found dead at her home in Stalybridge after years of struggle and fear over money and 'uninhabitable' living conditions.
An inquest into her death heard that the anti-poverty campaigner had been 'wrongly pursued' over benefits debt and moved into a housing association property in a 'very poor state with a myriad of serious restoration work needing to be done.'
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Karen was found hanged in her kitchen on August 1 last year. Her family said they believed the 'failings of multiple agencies led to her death.'
A coroner ruled that the evidence heard showed Ms McBride was 'frustrated to the point of desperation' but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of her risk to life.
But in a statement read to the inquest by her daughter Codie, she said: "My mum was a victim of systemic abuse - which is the complete neglect towards a whole class of people in this country."
Following the inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court, a number of people have responded to the M.E.N's special report on social media.
One reader said: "So sad, I have no words." Another wrote: "Heartbreaking and should never have happened." Whilst a third added: "Heartbreaking. #BrokenBritain."
"Devastating but unfortunately this is the new normal in our country," one shocked reader said. "Heartbreaking. So avoidable. I hope she has found peace."
Another said: "This reads like a Ken Loach script.. dehumanised, ignored, left to try and navigate broken processes managed by people who no longer care. So unbelievably sad.
"Her daughter’s words are incredibly moving and I hope she and the rest of Karen’s family are able to find peace by the difference they will make as a result."
The hearing was told that Karen, 46, was offered a property by Jigsaw Homes in Stalybridge - which she didn't want to accept, but was told she'd be making herself 'intentionally homeless' if she didn't.
During her evidence, her daughter Codie listed a range of serious defects at the house, including black mould, live wires hanging from the ceiling, damp, a leaking roof, leaking boiler and a bird trapped in the chimney.
The inquest heard that Ms McBride was chased by Tameside Council for 'underpayment of council tax.' Codie said they sent letters 'chasing her for thousands of pounds worth of debt which they said dated back to 2016'.
Codie told the hearing that the council eventually agreed a mistake was made and told her that no money was owed, but they failed to refund her for payments she'd been making to repay incorrect debt.
Mrs McBride complained to Jigsaw Homes in January 2020 about the condition of the house, saying she was 'struggling to cope and cannot do this anymore', the inquest was told.
The inquest heard in March 2022, she received a letter from Tameside Council telling her that her housing benefit had been suspended, then one from Jigsaw Homes saying she was in rent arrears. Codie told the inquest that to her mum, 'it felt like the cycle was starting all over again'.
Karen Milner, from the council tax team at Tameside Council, said the Department for Work and Pensions notified the council to say a 'non-dependent' was living at the house, but on the council's records it said 'dependent'. That's why, she said, payments were suspended. But Ms McBride, she added, was told on June 27 last year that the overpayment had been cleared.
Ms Milner said information was processed based on what details the council had and denied the council had made an error.
The inquest heard that in the weeks before her death, on August 1 last year, she was 'solemn and helpless' and still 'not certain' what the situation was. "She said things were never going to change and no one would listen to her," Codie told the inquest in her statement.
Ms McBride was found hanged in her kitchen with writing also found on a wall. The family said that in the two years before her death, they do not believe she was in any state to manage her own mental health.
Coroner, Chris Morris, said he found Ms McBride didn't have a 'sustained intention' to take her own life, describing her death as an 'impulsive act whilst under the influence of alcohol'. He recorded a narrative conclusion, saying: "Karen McBride died having suspended herself by the neck with a ligature whilst under the influence of alcohol."
Mr Morris described her as 'the most remarkable person who leaves an important legacy'. He said the inquest highlighted the 'complexities of navigating the benefits system' and said the evidence showed she was 'frustrated to the point of desperation', but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of a risk to her life.
Readers of the M.E.N, most of whom had never met Karen, paid tribute to the mum-of-four, describing her death as an 'utter tragedy.'
One person wrote: "Aww this is so sad! She sounds like a caring gentle soul, too good for this cruel world. RIP sleep tight."
Another said: "Sorry for your loss. Your mother had a voice, and she spoke from the heart, and in truth."
Another added: "Its heartbreaking, So so sad how can people be expected to live like this. Absolutely so unnecessary. This poor family. Utter tragedy.
"RIP Karen hope and healing to your amazing Mum and 4 beautiful children."
A spokesperson for Jigsaw Homes Group said: "We would once again like to offer our deepest sympathies to Miss McBride’s family and friends.
"It is a heart-breaking situation. We knew her well through the specialist support provided before and after she moved into her home and working closely with her on the Tameside Poverty Truth Commission.
"We understand that the photographs of her home build a negative picture, but we believe these were taken during repair work, in the early months of her tenancy, following a leak.
"Police evidence submitted to the coroner indicated that her home was in good condition at the time of her sad death. Other evidence showed her rent account was in order and she was aware that she was not in arrears.
"We are taking a full review of this case and will discuss any further practicable changes that we can with the other agencies involved."
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: "Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of Karen McBride. The coroner found that no systemic failings by any organisation contributed to her death.
"The Council does not comment on individual cases, however reviews are undertaken in all such cases to see if any learning can be gained and improvements be made. In all cases benefits and council tax can only be assessed where information is available."
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