Mother Kills Herself After Being Haunted By Flashbacks Of Gang Rape

A 32-year-old British woman, who struggled with mental health issues, killed herself as she was left haunted by memories of a gang rape incident.

Nicola McIntyre, who was found unresponsive at her home in East Hull on Aug. 29, 2020, experienced "vivid memories and flashbacks" of a gang rape involving a group of men and felt betrayed by a work friend, a U.K. court heard this week.

The inquest found that McIntyre had suffered from mental health issues from the age of four ever since her parents split up, Hull Live reported.

The Hull Coroner's Court heard how McIntyre, who had a son from a failed relationship, moved out to a house in Anson Road after meeting her latest partner. She soon got a job and befriended a colleague, but began to suspect that her friend was "conspiring with" her partner. The friend later admitted to sleeping with him.

Around the same time, McIntyre started having "flashbacks" of an attack involving a group of men. Her sister, Hayley Todd, told the court that McIntyre was becoming deeply depressed. "She told me that she went to get help from multiple mental health charities. She told me that she felt that no one was helping and that she was failing," she said.

The lockdown worsened her problems. In the final months of her life, McIntyre was unwell and frightened "she would go nuts," said Todd.

She told the court that McIntyre appeared "very happy" on Aug. 27 when they, along with another sister Sarah, took part in a WhatsApp video call. They made plans to meet up for dinner the following week.

"I text 'I love you' and she said it back and that was the last I heard from her," said Sarah.

The next morning the sisters were informed about McIntyre's death. Though McIntyre was rushed to a hospital as soon as she was discovered unresponsive, she could not be saved.

Coroner Rosemary Baxter concluded that McIntyre's death was a suicide.

"We are still trying to come to terms with Nicola's death and are all truly devastated. Our hearts are forever broken and she will be missed each and every day," one of her sisters said.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.