A doting mum took her own life after fears she would lose her children following the breakdown of her marriage, an inquest heard.
Kelly Higgins said 'life would not be worth living' without her kids just days before she was found dead at her home aged just 31, Hull Live reports. She left a heartbreaking note which said she 'could not cope' and could 'not see a way out'.
At the time of her death, her children's dad was seeking custody of them and they were being looked after by their grandmother, the inquest was told. Kelly's family described her as 'caring' and a 'brilliant person'.
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The mum-of-four had dedicated much of her life to caring for adults with learning disabilities before starting a family with her then boyfriend William Higgins, the inquest in Hull heard. The couple met when they were still teenagers and later married.
But they suffered a devastating blow when their first child died prematurely. This led to Kelly suffering from depression and anxiety which stayed with her for the rest of her life.
Towards the end of last year, Kelly grew concerned about her children being taken away from her after the acrimonious split from her husband which led to further issues with her mental health. An inquest was held on Thursday into her death and afterwards family paid tribute to her.
A family member said: “Kelly was a brilliant person and she was all about her kids. We just miss everything about her. She was caring and would care for everybody. She is a huge loss to everyone who knew her.”
The inquest heard how no one had heard from Kelly on December 29 last year and concerns grew for her welfare. Eventually, her partner and family members broke into her home in Bridlington where they found her.
In a statement, Kelly’s stepdad said she left school at 16 and ended up caring for adults with learning disabilities. She met William when they were 18 and had their first child in 2010, who sadly died after being born prematurely. But they went on to have two more children before getting married in 2017. They then had two more children.
He said: “Kelly was a happy-go-lucky person but she and William were heavy drinkers which contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.” The couple broke up just weeks before she died after she struck up a relationship with a woman from work.
Her stepdad said he and Kelly’s mum went round in Christmas Day last year to give the children presents. He said she was in “good spirits” but was concerned about her children being taken away.
He said: “She told me if she could not have the kids her life would not be worth living.” He then explained how he went round to Kelly’s home on the evening of December 29 after concerns no one had heard from her and smashed a window to gain entry where she was found dead.
Mr Higgins also gave a statement to the inquest. He said he and Kelly had been in a relationship for 13 years and they had five children together. He said Kelly had never been formally diagnosed with depression but he had urged her to get a diagnosis but she’d refused.
He said the marriage deteriorated which came to a head in 2021 when Kelly began an affair with a woman from work. He moved out to live with his mum and the inquest heard how he was seeking custody of their children.
Kelly's new partner also provided a statement at the inquest. She said she and Kelly had known each other for ten years but began a relationship last year when they worked together.
She said people at work did not approve of their relationship while William was seeking custody of the children. His mum had taken them shortly after Christmas and this was taking its toll on Kelly.
She said she went round to Kelly’s home several times on December 29 but there was no answer and concerns grew. She said she broke into Kelly’s home and found her upstairs. When paramedics arrived, it was clear Kelly had been dead for some time.
Kelly had written two heartbreaking suicide notes. The first read: “I’m sorry. I do not see any way out. I am tired of fighting. I can’t cope and it hurts too much.”
In a note to her partner she said: “I am sorry for everything. Thank you for everything, you are amazing and I am not sorry for loving you. Please do one more thing and make sure my kids know how much I love them. I’m sorry for letting you down.”
Area coroner Lorraine Harris concluded Kelly’s death was suicide but she said she will be writing to the East Riding Partnership to see if Kelly’s case should have been subject to a review and whether she should have been regarded as ‘vulnerable’.
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