A 20-year-old student midwife decribed as 'happy and strong' took her life two months after her dad had committed suicide, an inquest as heard. Jade Jones was found unresponsive in her flat on December 13 last year.
An inquest has now heard family and friends describe Jade as “happy”, “bubbly” and “strong”, and say there was nothing to suggest she would ever look to harm herself or take her own life. Jade’s mum said: “Jade had a happy and contented childhood. She had always been very sociable and had an abundance of friends.
Jade's dad took his own life in October 2021, reports HullLive. Her mum said: “Jade was mortified at the news but she dealt with it as you would expect anyone who loses their dad. However, she was a bit stressed at having to organise the funeral. Jade was a remarkably strong person and she took on the responsibility, but I think it may have affected her mental health.”
Jade’s mum spoke to her daughter on the day before she died and said she was with friends and seemed very happy. But she became more and more concerned when she could not get hold of Jade the following day.
She said: “I cannot understand why Jade did what she did. She had so much to live for and to look forward to. She put on such a strong persona since her dad died and looked after her younger sister.
“Jade was such a happy, bubbly person and always made those around her happy too. I cannot believe that Sunday was the last time I spoke to her and that my precious daughter has passed away.”
The inquest heard from Jade’s friends who were with her shortly before she died. She had been to a pub on the Sunday night.
One friend said: “Jade was happy and joking around, having a good time. She did karaoke and had a smile of her face.”
But he said her demeanour changed when they went back to his house for a couple more drinks. He said: “At about 1am she changed and became really upset. She was talking about her dad and then said she wanted to go home.”
Another friend who was with her that Sunday evening said: “That was the happiest I had ever seen Jade. She was laughing and dancing. She talked about her dad but wasn’t upset, she just seemed to be reminiscing.
“She was so strong, that’s who Jade was. Nothing that night made me fear anything would happen.”
She received some concerning text messages later from Jade as she left for home. However, she added: “I feel really confused. There is nothing I can put my finger on to explain why Jade did something like this.”
Jade was due to go to a works Christmas party the next day but did not show up. Friends and colleagues became worried. Flatmates found her unresponsive and an ambulance was called. A note was found in Jade’s room addressed to her family, which coroner Lorraine Harris said indicated her intent.
In concluding Jade’s death was "suicide", Mrs Harris said: “There were no signs of any mental health issues. She seemed to have been having a very happy evening the night before and her death was absolutely not foreseeable.
“It is very rare that something like this happens when there is nothing anyone could have done to anticipate how such a strong, happy young woman would take such an action," Mrs Harris added. “I believe there was intent to take her own life but it was a very small pocket of time and not something she had thought about or planned for days or weeks.
“I would urge anyone in distress to call the 24-hour crisis hotline. Jade would not have known about this as she never suffered from any mental health issues before.”
Mrs Harris paid her own tribute to Jade, having heard so much about her during the course of the inquest. She said: “I have noted the joy Jade brought to everyone’s life and everyone who knew her had lovely things to say about her, not just her family, but friends as well.
“Jade was going to dedicate her life to helping others which is no mean feat. She is an absolute loss.
“I give the family my sincere condolences. She looked to be a beautiful person both inside and out. It is an absolute tragedy her life ended this way.”
Need help?
If you are struggling with your mental health and you live in Hull and the East Riding, please visit this informative webpage for information on how you can get support:
If you are having extreme feelings of suicide or self-harm, please contact any of the following:
· Humber Mental Health Response Service 01482 301701
· NHS 111
· Sane mental health helpline on 0845 767 8000
· Samaritans on 116 123
· Your GP, a friend, relative or someone you trust
