BBC radio presenter killed herself at home after leaving her studio mid-show
A BBC radio presenter was found hanged hours after leaving her show while it was on air, an inquest heard.
Vicki Archer, 41, had a history of depression including two suicide attempts, the coroner was told.
She had emailed a colleague at BBC Radio Shropshire to say she was feeling upset before being found hanged in her loft.
In the days leading up to her death, she had retweeted posts about inner demons and mental health issues.
She had also shared links to the Samaritans and had written: ‘Gossip is rarely kind, positive or encouraging. It’s corrosive, hurtful and normally has nothing to do with you. You don’t need to be part of it. Say no thanks and move away.’
The divorced mother of three, who left work part-way through her drivetime programme at about 5pm on August 6, was discovered by her stepfather, Lee Holyoake, 64, after knocks at her door went unanswered.
He said ‘alarm bells started to ring’ after he and Miss Archer’s 73-year- old mother, Beryl, were told she had left work early. The was told Mr Holyoake, who had arranged to visit the property in Shrewsbury, Shropshire to fix a cooker, had used a ladder to enter through a bedroom window.
A statement by Mr Holyoake said he tried to revive Miss Archer but she was pronounced dead by paramedics at 8.20pm.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Coroner John Ellery said: ‘We have heard Victoria had made two previous attempts to take her own life in the past and she suffered from depression.
‘It is not necessary, nor is it appropriate, to go further into her personal and private life.
‘Victoria left her radio show “midair” while it was thought she was going for a break. This is a tragic case for her family and our condolences and thoughts are, and must be, with her children.’
The inquest heard alcohol and some medication was found in her system. But the post-mor
‘Alarm bells started to ring’
tem examination suggested drink and drugs did not play a part in her death.
In a statement issued following the inquest, the presenter’s family said: ‘We still cannot believe that Vicki’s not here.
‘Her zest for life was infectious, she was a wonderful mother and daughter, and her charm brought a smile to all those who knew her. She could light up a room.
‘While we will always miss her, we want to remember and celebrate everything that she achieved, which is why, in the spring, we are planning a memorial celebration of her life.’
David Jennings, the BBC’s head of regional programmes for the West Midlands, said: ‘We are heartbroken at Vicki’s death.
‘Everyone here at Radio Shropshire respected her as a great presenter and journalist, but so much more than that, we loved the sense of fun she brought to her shows and the station.
‘Her loss leaves a huge void. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.’
Miss Archer had presented the 3pm-7pm drivetime show at BBC Radio Shropshire with co-host Adam Green since 2010. She had worked for the station for 20 years.