Brit mum kills herself after being left homeless and stranded in India at end of two-year jail term
A BRITISH woman held in an Indian jail for two years accused of human trafficking has been found dead after being freed.
Julie Warner, 40, was found hanged in Calangute, Goa, on September 28, just six months after being released.
The mum from Leeds was one of four British nationals arrested at Mumbai International Airport in March 2017 after allegedly helping four Sri Lankan nationals to illegally fly into the UK, using their identities.
After her arrest, Julie was placed in Byculla Women’s Jail. On her release she was told she must remain in the country until the on-going trial was over.
According to her daughter she became increasingly frustrated with the never-ending case.
Writing on social media, she said: "For the past two years, my mum has been living in India and recently became homeless after experiencing some horrendous problems.
";She was alone in a foreign country with nowhere to go no one to turn to and no way of returning home to the UK.
"I sadly lost my mum due to her suffering severe mental illnesses".
BODY FOUND
Julie's family have launched a to help them to cover the costs of travelling to Goa and taking her body home to the UK.
Police inspector Santosh Dessai said officers initially could not identify the mum as she had "nothing on her", however a friend later came forward and named her as the deceased.
He said: "It was only after the news spread in the local media, one of her friends came and identified as Julie Ann Warner from Leeds in England.
"We have informed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Panjim, the British Embassy and the victim’s family. It appears to be a case of suicide but further investigation is underway."
An autopsy report later registered the cause of the death as asphyxia and cerebral venous congestion as a result of hanging by ligature.
Julie’s sister Joanne Warner said: “My sister tragically took her own life. This is the reality of mental health.
'HOUR OF CRISIS'
"All Julie had was me and her daughter. Both our parents have passed away and there is literally no one who we can look up to for help in this hour of crisis.
“I need all the help and support at this tragic time to raise the money to fly over to India and bring her body back home.
"This will be the best way possible to at least show her she was loved even though she couldn't see it."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
- Movember,
According to reports, Julie was depressed over the 2017 trial’s slow pace and was desperate to return home to the UK as soon as it was over.
She and three other British nationals - Captain Fivehats, Dominic Oliver Bower and Stuart Alan Quilliam — were arrested at the international airport.
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The Sri Lankan nationals- Arunasalam Suthakaran, Kannathsan Karththeepan, Gajan Chandrabalan and Kaveenthini Kandasamy- were arrested by Bureau of Immigration.
According to reports, Julie moved to Goa after being released on bail, and found shelter at an NGO in southern India's Andhra Pradesh state.
Joanne added: "She's looking down on us, let's show her the love".
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans (free) on 116 123