Radio host left studio to hang herself
A BBC radio presenter committed suicide after walking out of the studio midway through her show, an inquest heard yesterday.
Vicki Archer, 41, was found hanged in the loft of her home just hours after going off-air unexpectedly during the drivetime programme.
She had told colleagues at BBC Radio Shropshire that she needed “a break” and was feeling “upset”.
The hearing was told that the divorced mother-of-three suffered from depression and had made two previous attempts to kill herself.
In the days leading up to her death, Vicki had retweeted posts about mental health issues.
She also shared links to the Samaritans’ hotline number and wrote about “hurtful gossip”, describing it as “corrosive”.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery concluded Vicki committed suicide.
He said: “Victoria did do the act that led to her death.
“She intended to kill herself and that leads me to the inevitable conclusion of suicide.
“This is a tragic case for her family and our condolences are and must be with her children.”
Vicki was due to present on BBC Radio Shropshire with co-host Adam Green between 3pm and 7pm on August 6 this year.
But she left the studio shortly before 5pm and returned home in Shrewsbury.
She was found dead by her stepfather Lee Holyoake, 64, at about 8.15pm that day.
He and Vicki’s 73-year-old mother, Beryl, had visited to fix her cooker.
Mr Holyoake described climbing in through an open window after getting no answer when he tried knocking on the door.
In a statement he said: “I got in through the bedroom window.
“I called my wife to come and assist me. She said to check the loft.
“As I checked the right-hand side of the loft, I saw Victoria in the corner.”
Shropshire Coroner’s Court heard Mr Holyoake carried out CPR but to her nothing could be done to save her. The inquest was told Vicki had a blood alcohol level slightly over the drink-drive limit, as well as some traces of medication in her blood.
But the post-mortem examination suggested alcohol and drugs did not play a part in her death.
Vicki had presented the afternoon drivetime show at BBC Radio Shropshire with co-host Adam Green since 2010.
Following the hearing, her family released a statement saying: “We still cannot believe that Vicki’s not here.
“Her zest for life was infectious and she was a wonderful mother and daughter.
“Her charm brought a smile to all those who knew her.”