Young midwife found dead after night out following 'heat of moment' decision

A woman was found dead by her boyfriend after a night out. Emily Hockenhull, 25, had locked her partner out of their Staffordshire home following an argument.

She went on to send him a number of 'alarming' texts and he smashed his way into the property. But once inside he found the midwife dead after she decided to take her own life in a 'heat-of-the-moment' decision.

And now, an inquest has delivered a verdict of misadventure relating to the death. Emily's dad, Nigel Hockenhull, said: "Emily was a warm, kind and loving soul who loved life and lived it. We think the decision to take her own life was a sporadic decision done in the moment.

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"She was doing well and she had a brilliant circle of friends who adored her and she them. She had a good job and a supportive family.”

Her sister Charlotte added: "Emily was happy and smiley." The inquest, held on April 18, heard of text exchanges ended between Emily and her partner at 3.14am on December 3 and that the Leighton Hospital midwife had died by 3.31am.

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Nicholas Walker ruled Emily 'took her own life' in the 'heat-of-the-moment', StokeonTrentLive reports. "Emily had little time to think and understand her plans when she took her own life," he said.

"I have to look at her background and intent. Emily was in a successful and demanding job. I understand she was anxious and this was partly because of her job, as many people are in their workplace.

"From her messages, Emily wasn’t someone who’d bottle things up and would be open with her friends. She seems like someone who would deal with things in a constructive manner. I’m satisfied in this case that if she had meant to take her life she would have told her friends and family. This was not a toxic relationship.

"I am not satisfied there was a second plan to take her own life. There was no note or contact with family or friends. I cannot say, on the balance of probabilities, this was planned.

"I conclude this was a misadventure rather than suicide. The decision was made in the heat-of-the-moment. It was clear Emily was bright and happy."