A teenager killed herself after suffering from anxiety and depression over the coronavirus pandemic, an inquest that was heard.
Emily Owen, 19, feared the difficult lockdown would deprive her of her liberty by stopping her from working and leaving.
Her mother and sister found themselves hanging out at the family home in Shouldham, Norfolk, on March 18.
Emily failed to regain consciousness and died four days later on March 22 when her life support was disabled at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.
Emily Owen, 19, killed herself after her family went into self-isolation because her sister had a cough
The Norfolk court in Norwich heard how her family had decided to isolate themselves in the days before her death because one of her sisters had a cough.
Her father Timothy Owen said she wanted to go for a ride on the morning of March 18, but was told she could not by self-isolation.
He said: ‘She was afraid she would lose her freedom and independence, not be able to work out and the gym or drive and go out.’
Mr. Owen added in a statement read before the hearing that Emily had previously had mental health problems and in 2018 was diagnosed with autism.
But he said her health had improved when she graduated, learned to ride and worked in the King’s Arms pub in Shouldham, where she was the ‘life and soul’.
Mr. Owen said his family was in the process of moving to Cornwall, which was Emily’s favorite place.
He added: ‘She was really excited and looking for a fresh start. Life was really good and the future looked better for everyone. ‘
Shortly before her death, the family had enjoyed ‘their best day ever as a family’ with a trip to Coventry to visit grandparents.
Mr. Owen said: ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back was the restrictions – just not being able to cope with the restrictions, which is currently happening to a range of people in the UK.’
Jacqueline Lake, former Colonel of Norfolk, registered a suicide note and expressed her sympathy to Miss Owen’s family.
She said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic struck and this caused Emily a lot of worries and fears. She was afraid she could not go out, after she had a taste of freedom and independence. ‘
The UK went into partial lockdown on March 16 when people were advised to avoid social contact and full lockdown on March 23 when everyone was told they ‘should’ stay home.
Emily’s sister, Annabel (left), said the idea that everything was canceled and the house could not leave ‘horrible Emily’
Emily’s sister Annabel Owen, 21, said shortly after her death: ‘She could not cope with her world closing down and plans being canceled, and was placed inside. It scares her. ‘
Her parents, two sisters and brother described her in a Facebook post as ‘our beautiful, funny, talented and a little crazy daughter and sister.’
The post added: ‘We are all absolutely devastated but also extremely proud of everything she has achieved in her life.
‘So many people have reported to us over the past five days and told us how Emily helped her through hard times of her own, and we had no idea how much positive impact she had on the people around her.
‘For many people. Emily was a really fun, energetic, happy girl, but only a few were aware of the many years of internal battles she had.
‘Few people are aware of her, but four years ago she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and had a daily struggle to fit in and comply with social norms.
‘She did not want anyone to know, but now that she’s gone, we want to let people know that autism comes in all forms and sizes.
‘Despite this, she managed to finish school, go to college, complete a student ship
and start working in King’s Arms * Please look at people, be kind, because you never know what’s going on in people’s lives. ‘
Abbie Panks, vice president of Shouldham Community Enterprises who ran the King’s Arms pub, said at the time: ‘Emily was a whirlpool of energy, so caring and funny, really beautiful inside and out.
‘She was loved by our team and customers. She was also an incredibly talented artist.
‘The team is understandably heartbroken. We will miss Emily immensely, she was a part of our family here. ‘
Emily was diagnosed with high functioning autism in 2018 and has often struggled with her mental health
While Emily was on life support, the family urged people to check in with their loved ones.
The post said: ‘Our dear, beautiful, crazy daughter and sister tragically decided she could no longer and wanted to take her own life on Wednesday.
‘She’s been in critical care ever since.
‘The decision was made today to turn off her life support this afternoon, by giving time for the hospital to prepare her for organ donation, something she applied for in 2012 when she was just 12 years old.
‘That connects them as always the care for other people.
‘Emily would have liked you to control your loved ones in these very difficult times, because she believed that the fear of the unknown could drive her over the edge and (she) was planning to volunteer to help these people.
“We appreciate all the great support we already have and apologize in advance for still responding to all your loving messages during this difficult time.”
.
