THE family of a student who tragically killed herself after struggling with the loss of her dad have paid tribute to their “precious daughter”.
Jade Jones, 20, was studying to be a midwife when she died – two months after her dad took his own life.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Hull, in East Yorkshire but they were unable to save her on December 13.
Family and friends described Jade as “happy”, “bubbly” and “strong”.
In a statement, Jade’s mum said: “Jade had a happy and contented childhood.
“She had always been very sociable and had an abundance of friends.
“Jade went to Newcastle University where she studied biomedical science, but lockdown came.
“At this point Jade had an interest in becoming a midwife.
“She left Newcastle and began studying midwifery at the University of Hull.”
She suffered a devastating loss when her dad took his own life in October 2021.
Despite this, she appeared to be coping.
Her mum said: “Jade was mortified at the news but she dealt with it as you would expect anyone who loses their dad.
“However, she was a bit stressed at having to organise the funeral.
“Jade was a remarkably strong person and she took on the responsibility, but I think it may have affected her mental health.”
The mum spoke to Jade the day before she died and said she was with friends and seemed very happy.
But she became concerned when she could not get hold of Jade the following day.
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She said: “I cannot understand why Jade did what she did. She had so much to live for and to look forward to.
“She put on such a strong persona since her dad died and looked after her younger sister.
“Jade was such a happy, bubbly person and always made those around her happy too.
“I cannot believe that Sunday was the last time I spoke to her and that my precious daughter has passed away.”
The inquest also heard from Jade’s friends who were with her shortly before she died.
She had been to a pub on Cottingham Road on the Sunday night.
One friend said: “Jade was happy and joking around, having a good time. She did karaoke and had a smile of her face.”
I cannot understand why Jade did what she did. She had so much to live for and to look forward to.
Jade’s mum
But he said her demeanour changed when they went back to his house for a couple more drinks. He said: “At about 1am she changed and became really upset.
“She was talking about her dad and then said she wanted to go home.”
Another friend who was with her that Sunday evening said: “That was the happiest I had ever seen Jade.
“She was laughing and dancing. She talked about her dad but wasn’t upset, she just seemed to be reminiscing.
“She was so strong, that’s who Jade was. Nothing that night made me fear anything would happen.”
Flatmates found Jade unresponsive the next day.
A note was found in Jade’s room addressed to her family, which area coroner Lorraine Harris said indicated her intent.
In concluding Jade’s death was “suicide”, Mrs Harris said: “There were no signs of any mental health issues.
“She seemed to have been having a very happy evening the night before and her death was absolutely not foreseeable.
“It is very rare that something like this happens when there is nothing anyone could have done to anticipate how such a strong, happy young woman would take such an action,” Mrs Harris added.
“I believe there was intent to take her own life but it was a very small pocket of time and not something she had thought about or planned for days or weeks.”
- The Samaritans can be contacted at any time of the day or night on freephone 116 123
Source: The Sun
