Grieving mum took own life two months after partner died
A MOTHER took her own life just months after her partner had died in the same way, an inquest has heard.
Laura Bedernyak, 30, was found dead in her bathroom after a night out just two months after her partner, Kyle Jones, 29, took his own life.
Speaking at the time of his death, Ms Bedernyak described him as “the life and soul of the party”.
An inquest into her death heard how she had suffered with depression and “suicidal tendencies” but was “getting better”.
A statement by her friend Kiah Channell was read out to the inquest at Aberdare Coroner’s Court on Thursday. It said: “She was in such a good mood the night before. I just couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think it was real. I can’t believe it has happened.”
The court heard Ms Bedernyak was “sociable and outgoing”, and lived a “relatively normal life” in Brackla, Bridgend, when she was hit by the news that her partner had taken his own life.
Assistant Coroner Andrew Barkley said: “I appreciate this is an extremely upsetting set of circumstances for the family. Before the death of Kyle, she was a very happy young lady who worked very hard when she could. She was single mother and losing her partner clearly had a massive effect upon her.”
Ms Bedernyak’s friend Jessica Lewis said: “She was bubbly, lovable and eccentric, but had become very depressed and withdrawn since the death of Kyle.”
The inquest heard how Ms Bedernyak, who worked at the Travelodge in Pencoed, fell into a “terrible period of grief” and was a “totally different person”.
Ms Bedernyak sought help from medical professionals, but was not assessed to be high risk, despite overdosing on one occasion and ending up in hospital.
Her friend Jodie Kennett told the inquest: “She got very sad after Kyle’s death. She would go from being very sad to happy. And there were times when she told me she was at a low place and could not handle life.”
But by March, just a few days before she was found dead at her home, she was said to be improving, and had started group therapy for people grieving for those who have taken their own lives.
She also promised a friend that she would “never take her own life” and was positive about the future, even planning to buy a kitten for herself as a birthday present.
On the evening of March 8, Ms Bederynak decided to go on a night out with Ms Channell and the friends ended up at the Railway Pub in Bridgend for a karaoke night.
Ms Channell said: “She had a couple of drinks and seemed to be enjoying herself. She was relaxed and loving it. She did not want to go home.”
At just after midnight, Ms Channell left and asked the people Ms Bedernyak said she would stay with to “keep an eye on Laura”.
Ms Channell said: “She drank everything that night – vodka, jäger bombs. I took pictures of her dancing at the Railway. She was happy drunk, but not exceedingly drunk. I had absolutely no indication she was going to do anything to herself.”
Her friends discovered her body at her home having not received a response when they asked how her night had been.
When asked by different members of her family whether more could have been done to help Ms Bedernyak in the months leading up to her death,
Mr Barkley said: “There was a rigorous assessment and a plan formulated, but the evidence was that she was not seriously unwell.”
He recorded a conclusion of suicide.