Double tragedy when a young couple takes their own lives

A young couple took their own lives just months apart, an inquest heard. Bethany Jade Parkinson was found dead in the woods in March this year, YorkshireLive reports.

The 27-year-old, who worked as a riding groomer, was left feeling “numb, sick and angry” at her partner’s sudden death last December. Bethany, from Ossett, Wakefield, was referred to mental health specialists and received medication and treatment for several weeks by a ‘crisis team’ before being discharged and transferred back into the care of her GP.

An inquest in Wakefield was told Bethany had also been upset because her horse Diego, who she had been looking after for 13 years, had been ill and was under the care of a vet. In a statement, Bethany’s mother Michelle said her daughter was the eldest child of five and went on to study horse development at Huddersfield College. She had worked at horse yards and in a nursing home.

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Michelle said Bethany told her in December 2023 that she had ended her relationship with her partner. Sadly, he took his own life later that month. Bethany was “completely devastated” by it, Michelle said.

In January, Bethany’s horse had been seen by a vet and was being treated. She’s had Diego since she was 13 and he was “like her baby,” Michelle said.

During this time, Bethany had been referred to a mental health crisis team and seemed to be improving.

The inquest heard from a mental health manager who said Bethany was referred to a “crisis” team in January 2024 by her GP. She was said to be worried about her horse being knocked down and affected by the death of her partner two weeks earlier. In January, Bethany reported that she hadn’t eaten for 10 days and was having “dark thoughts.”

Bethany was said to be in “overwhelming grief” over her partner’s death and was also facing some problems at work. Mental health doctors reported that Bethany responded well to treatment and her suicidal thoughts were said to be “transient”.

She was discharged from the crisis team on February 22 and spoke of how she felt she had “come a long way” in treatment and was said to be positive about the future. She had also talked about rehabilitating her horse.

Tragically, Bethany was found dead in woods in Ossett on March 20, 2024. The cause of death was hanging.

Assistant coroner Naomi McLoughlin said Bethany had a history of suicidal thoughts after her partner’s death in 2023. She said a “note of intent” was found in Bethany’s car. Ms McLoughlin recorded that Bethany died by suicide.

Friends paid tribute to Bethany on social media earlier this year, calling her a “beautiful lady” who was loved by so many. She was praised for her “natural horsemanship”, her compassion and being a “beautiful and caring lady”.