Tragic Wigan mum's last act for her three young children

Two of her young children found Melissa McCracken’s body at their home on Hawthorn Rise in Whelley and went to a neighbour’s house to get help.

But despite the efforts of neighbour Samantha Havill and paramedics, the 23-year-old was pronounced dead on the morning of November 13.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court heard police found three piles of paperwork, one relating to each of her children, as well as letters about debts.

Ms Havill told the inquest that Melissa had previously spoken about financial problems but she seemed “unfazed” by it, while her mother Elaine McCracken said her rent arrears had been addressed.

The inquest heard she had been drinking regularly with neighbour Paul Sheridan and the pair fell out a few weeks earlier over money, but he said that had been resolved.

Ms Havill said Melissa was “emotional a few times” and may have been struggling as a single parent.

“I think she just found it hard moving from home and with three young kids to look after and having a house to run,” she said.

“I think it just got on top of her.”

The inquest heard Melissa had spent the previous day with her mother and went home at around 6.30pm.

She asked Ms Havill to look after her children at 7.15pm so she could buy cigarettes and when she returned, Melissa spoke about the youngsters.

Ms Havill went home shortly afterwards and Melissa later sent text messages to her friend Glen Rosenthal, asking to see him.

But Mr Rosenthal told the inquest he forgot about the messages and did not go to see her.

Det Insp John Davies, who investigated Melissa’s death, said her home was “chaotic” but there were three piles relating to her children which had been “set out deliberately”.

A post-mortem examination found she died by hanging. While Melissa had alcohol in her blood, it was not thought to have been enough to have had a role in her death.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, coroner Alan Walsh said it was “extremely tragic” that she died at just 23 and with three children under five.

“I don’t know what went through her mind but it must have been total desperation to do what she did,” he said.

“In all that chaos she put her children’s needs in separate piles and I accept that was her last responsible action.”

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