A NURSE took her own life after ‘a number of stresses in her life’, an inquest heard.

Vanessa Queen, aged 57, was found dead by police at her property on Underbarrow Road in Kendal in the early hours of November 20 last year.

Cockermouth Coroners Court heard a missing person’s appeal was lodged to police by her family on the evening before her death.

Officers attended Vanessa’s home to speak with the family when they were contacted by traffic officers who said they had located Vanessa in a Volkswagen Up vehicle in a barn that was on her property, the court heard.

When they managed to open the door, officers noted that Vanessa was already dead, the inquest heard.  

Upon further inspection of the vehicle, they found that a significant amount of medication was missing from her handbag in the passenger seat, the coroner was told.

The court heard officers recovered a suicide note in her bedroom with a message confirming she loved her children and that she was proud of them.

Coroner Margaret Taylor said Vanessa had been struggling with the passing of her ‘much-loved husband’ who had died from stage four cancer in January 2023, as well as the ill health of one of her children.

One of Vanessa’s children told the court how their mother had started her own business caring for horses whilst working at Westmorland General Hospital around 2010.

They explained she then made the decision to cut down her hours at the hospital to focus more on the business.

Recording the cause of death as suicide from the toxic effects of tramadol and carbon monoxide poisoning, Coroner Margaret Taylor said: “This is a tragic case. I offer my condolences to Vanessa’s sister and her children.

“Prior to Vanessa’s death, there had been no indication that she was feeling suicidal. However, it is clear there were a number of stresses in her life.

“I have come to the conclusion that Vanessa has very sadly taken her own life. I cannot offer any explanations as to why she did this. The only person who can tell us why is no longer with us.”

If you need someone to talk to call Samaritans on 116 123.