Suicide verdict in case of tragic Sunderland mum Charlene Mallin

Charlene Mallin, from Fulwell, tragically died in July this year aged just 33.

The ‘bright and bubbly’ mum-of-two worked at Martino’s in Seaburn and was passionate about fitness.

But it is thought the impact of the coronavirus lockdown increased her mental health struggles as she loved to spend time with others.

She was also grieving for her grandparents at the time of her death, her family have said.

An inquest hearing at Sunderland Coroner’s Court on Thursday, November 26 ruled the cause of Charlene’s death as suicide.

Charlene’s family have previously said they hoped that others would seek help for their struggles as they honoured her memory.

Speaking to the Echo in July, Charlene’s cousin Monica Trimble, 30, also from Fulwell, said on behalf of the family: “Charlene had been struggling with some issues but had been working extremely hard to build a really bright future for her and her children.

“Her friends are concerned about the effect which the lockdown played in her struggle; they feel that not being able to exercise and socialise with her friends may have further impacted her mental health.

"I had become really close to her in the past few months.

"We spoke about the future and how she’d like to support her children and give them the best prospects that she possibly could.

"Her friends talk about how caring she was; she was always asking about how their families were when she saw them.

"Inside she was really shy and sensitive and someone who just wanted to be loved.

"I really hope that we can honour her memory and learn lessons on the importance of caring – genuinely caring – for each other and looking after our mental health from this tragedy which has broken so many hearts.

"I’ll always cherish the memories I have of our childhood and the conversations we had over the last few months.

"Charlene’s legacy is her two beautiful children. They’ll be taught about her strength, her spirit and she’ll live on in them.”

A fund set up to support Charlene’s children, Joseph Mallin, 12, and Olivia Oxley, three, and her mum Gillian Mallin, 52, from Fulwell, has now raised £1,220.

Call 116 123 to speak to Samaritans at any time.

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