Julie Hickling inquest – Bransgore woman's death was 'wholly unexpected'

THE death of a "wonderful" Bransgore woman who took her own life was wholly unexpected, an inquest heard.

Julie Hickling (64), from Rosehill Drive, was found hanged at around 7.30am on 25th November last year by a dog walker on the Castleman Trail in Ringwood.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard how the mother of two had suffered from low mood and stress on and off since the 1990s.

She last went to her GP in 2019 where she was offered antidepressant medication. She refused it but said she would look into getting psychological help.

Julie went missing the day before her body was found, having finished her shift at Homebase at around 6.30pm.

At the inquest into her death, husband Peter Hickling described Julie as "wonderful", adding: "It hit us like a bolt out of the blue – it was so unexpected. I'll never get over it."

Although Julie had been a little quieter in the few months prior to her death, Peter put it down to stress at work.

A colleague had been concerned about Julie at work that day and asked her as she left to send a message once she was home.

At 7.05pm Julie texted to say she was okay. Her colleague replied to say she should take the following day off – but the message was not read as Julie's phone was turned off.

Pathologist Dr Vipul Foria gave the cause of death as hanging.

Coroner Jason Pegg recorded a conclusion that Julie took her own life and said: "Julie was described as a wonderful lady and she was well regarded by her colleagues.

"Julie kept some of her feelings to herself about the low place she was in, and her death was wholly unexpected."

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