A 66-year-old grandmother from Cornwall tragically died after falling from a multi-storey car park, with mental health struggles contributing to her death.
Cornwall: A grandmother named Sharon Maria Little, 66, died after falling from a multi-storey car park. An inquest revealed her struggles with mental health before her death on July 6 last year.
The inquest at Truro Coroner’s Court found that Sharon died from multiple injuries consistent with a fall. A toxicology report indicated she had taken a lethal dose of medication.
Sharon had previously run an art shop in Falmouth and worked as a mental health nurse. However, she faced challenges after being dismissed from her job at Bodmin Hospital.
After winning an unfair dismissal case, Sharon’s mental health declined. She later worked at a care home but felt she lost her purpose.
In late 2023, Sharon moved north due to Cornwall’s housing crisis, which worsened her mental health. She returned to Cornwall in early 2024, staying with friends.
Sharon faced personal stresses that affected her mental health. In February 2024, she was referred to the NHS east home treatment team for support.
She expressed a desire to improve and was willing to work with mental health services. After a hospital stay, her mood improved but later declined again.
On June 7, she agreed to stay at Oakleigh House mental health respite centre. After her discharge on June 16, she still felt low.
On June 24, mental health practitioners found a letter in her bin indicating her suicidal thoughts. Sharon requested to be detained under the Mental Health Act, but it was deemed unnecessary.
Despite feeling distressed, she recognized that hospitalization wouldn’t resolve her issues. On June 25, her anxiety medication was increased, and she planned to transition to community mental health care.
On the day before her death, an occupational therapist noted that Sharon seemed more positive and had a plan for the future.
In the inquest’s conclusion, the coroner found no evidence of third-party involvement in Sharon’s death. He recorded a conclusion of suicide.
