Woman, 35, hanged herself after splitting with partner who didn’t want a baby and fighting over custody of their dog

A “FUN-LOVING” woman hanged herself after she was “hit hard” by splitting from her ex, an inquest heard.

Caroline Forte, 35, took her life at her elderly parents’ home last February after she had been allowed to leave the hospital psychiatric unit where she was sectioned.

The gifted graphic designer’s family were devastated by the tragedy.

In her witness statement, Caroline’s sister Liz said: “We have lost a vibrant, clever, kind, loving and much-adored member of our family whose 35 years are certainly not defined by this relatively short illness.

“Caro – as she was known to us – was a happy, fun-loving person, the baby of the family. She was an extremely talented and very successful graphic designer with an infectious giggle and strong family values.”

Caroline was reportedly “hit hard” when her relationship with partner, Barry Wickens, broke down during lockdown in 2020.

The couple had bought and renovated their first home together but difficulties arose when they disagreed over having a baby.

She was upset when her partner didn’t want a baby and then, after leaving her, began a custody battle over their pet dog Doris.

A five-day inquest into Caroline’s death in Brighton heard how Caroline struggled with her mental health following the end of the relationship.

She was eventually admitted under the Mental Health Act to a psychiatric ward in Eastbourne District General Hospital.

But she had been allowed to go home for a night, against her family’s wishes – a decision which ended in her tragic death.

Penelope Schofield, acting senior coroner for Brighton and Hove, told the inquest jury that “facts needed to be established” around Caroline’s death and that the family had waited over a year for answers.

Penelope said: “The family have indicated that they weren’t given any advice on how best to support Caroline.”

The coroner heard how Caroline began to show signs of psychosis in November 2021, believing that her phone had been tapped and she was becoming paranoid about her devices.

The family sought medical help for Caroline and her condition stabilised enough for her to go on a planned holiday to Costa Rica over Christmas.

However, on her return in January 2022, things took a turn for the worse, the jury was told.

The sister’s statement continued: “She wasn’t okay. She kept asking for help in changing passwords on all her accounts and she talked continuously about being hacked.”

The family agreed Caroline should stay in Leeds with her other sister, Sandra, who was on maternity leave so would be able to look after her.

The coroner heard that while in Leeds Caroline attempted, twice, to kill herself.

She received emergency psychiatric care under the Leeds and Yorkshire NHS Partnership Trust and was then transferred back down to Sussex.

She hanged herself less than a month later.

The inquest heard that her family believed there have been serious failures by both the Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and Leeds and Yorkshire NHS Partnership Trust resulting in Caroline’s death.

Liz claimed: “They didn’t care for her. They released her when she wasn’t safe and under a mental health section and they released her to the home of my parents who are in their 70’s. It is absolutely shocking.”

The inquest, which will conclude next week, continues.