Teen mum, 19, found hanged 41 days after giving birth to her second child during Covid lockdown
A TEENAGE mum was found hanged just 41 days after giving birth to her second child.
Rhianne Halton was found hanged at her home in Torquay, Devon, in May last year during the first Covid lockdown.
The 19-year-old left a suicide note saying she loved her children and adding: "Daddy will look after you".
An inquest into her death at Plymouth Coroners' Court heard Rhianne had a 'difficult' relationship with her partner, who was the father of her three-year-old son and the new baby boy.
She had also been unable to have face-to-face meetings with midwives and health visitors after she gave birth due to lockdown.
The hearing was told Rhianne and her partner had split for nine months, during which time she had started a new relationship.
But the inquest heard after getting back together the couple rowed frequently, including about Rhianne getting in contact with her ex on social media.
The 19-year-old was found hanged by her boyfriend when he returned home an hour-and-a-half after an argument, the court heard.
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
Most read in News
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances in Rhianne's death.
A Torbay maternity services investigation said there had been no concerns for Rhianne's physical or mental health after she gave birth to her second son in March last year - despite face to face contact being restricted by Covid.
The coroner Mr Covell recorded a verdict of suicide.
HOW YOU CAN GET HELP
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a . from 10am to noon.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.