Wigan mum took her own life, coroner rules

The inquest into the death of 35-year-old Nathalie Atherton resumed on Monday, having been halted last week when a witness statement could not be found.

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During the earlier hearing, the coroner was told she had post-natal depression after the birth of her second child and started to self-harm in 2010.

She took an overdose of tablets, which led to her receiving treatment in hospital.

Mrs Atherton was referred to mental health services who diagnosed her with bipolar disorder and manic depression.

Her mental health improved during treatment and she was stable for some time, during which she started volunteering as a classroom assistant, went to college and qualified as a teaching assistant.

But last Christmas she started to talk about dying.

Bolton Coroner’s Court heard that a post-mortem examination recorded that Mrs Atherton, of Longshaw Avenue, Billinge, died on August 5 this year due to suspension by ligature.

Coroner Alan Walsh had said at the earlier hearing that it may be that the missing statement was not of great relevance, but he was not willing to continue the inquest until it had been found and entered as evidence.

Mr Walsh offered his condolences to Mrs Atherton’s widower David, their children and other family members, describing the death as “something that is quite tragic.”