WARNING – DISTRESSING DETAILS: Jill Parton, 46, died when she was struck by a train in the early hours of June 3 – a coroner concluded she took her own life ‘in the context of coercive and controlling behaviour’
A former pub landlady sent a final heartbreaking Facebook message before tragically taking her own life due to “coercive and controlling behaviour”, a coroner has ruled.
Jill Parton, 46, was fatally struck by a freight train in the early hours of June 3 this year. The inquest heard that Ms Parton had been in a relationship characterised by controlling and coercive behaviour. Prior to her death, the relationship had ended and Ms Parton was reportedly “scared to leave the house”, according to the coroner.
The inquest at Stockport Coroners Court also heard that Ms Parton had been involved in several “difficult relationships” throughout her life. Her daughter, Amber Parton, told the inquest that her mum “fell for the wrong people all the time”.
She said: “She was beautiful. All she wanted was to be loved. She would do anything for anyone. She was just a good person.”
Amber revealed that in the weeks leading up to her death at Heaton Chapel, Stockport, her mum was suffering from panic attacks due to threats made against them both. She said: “She was petrified someone would do something to me or her.”
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As a result of these threats, Amber said her mum confessed she “didn’t want to live any more” but she didn’t worry about her self-harming because “she said she wouldn’t leave me.”
The Manchester Evening News. reports that the inquest was informed that Ms Parton, from Heaton Chapel, had a history of anxiety and depression. In the months leading up to her tragic end, she had been prescribed anti-depressants and referred to mental health services after confessing to her GP about “thoughts of self-harm”.
Stuart Sumnall, an ex-partner, revealed to the court that he and Ms Parton had “already decided to call it a day” but had spent the afternoon together at Stockport Pride. He recounted how they had an argument later that day which led to her crying and exiting his car.
Mr Sumnall, who admitted to having “trust issues”, said he went home and received several messages and calls from Ms Parton. During one video call, he noticed overhead power lines and realised she was on the railway line.
After the call ended, he immediately contacted the police. Shortly afterwards, Mr Sumnall said Ms Parton called him again. He stated: “I picked up and the phone just went dead.”
Det Insp Chris Aunins told the inquest that following Ms Parton’s death, police received reports of a “domestic assault”. The detective mentioned that a man, whose name was not disclosed in court, was arrested and officers “thoroughly investigated” the allegations but found no evidence, resulting in the suspect being released without charge.
In a heart-wrenching final message on Facebook at 2.14am before her death, Ms Parton, known for her stint as landlady at The Crown pub by Stockport viaduct, wrote: “I just wanted to say thank you and much love to all my friends and family who have been there for me throughout the most difficult times of my life.”
Post-mortem toxicology revealed alcohol and signs she had used cocaine prior to her passing. Assistant coroner Anna Morris spoke of Ms Parton as a “complex and, at times, vulnerable” individual who suffered “periods of poor mental health”, experiencing “controlling and coercive behaviour” in a relationship that sadly broke down, leaving her “scared to leave the house.”
In her conclusion, the coroner recorded a ruling of suicide “in the context coercive and controlling behaviour”.
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