French wife settled in UK kills herself over Brexit
A FRENCHWOMAN who had lived in Britain for more than 50 years killed herself over Brexit fears.
France Davies, 76, was found drowned in a flooded field after a huge police search at night.
A suicide verdict was given at a Gloucestershire inquest on Friday.
Afterwards her British husband Peter, 74, said: “My EU partner of over 48 years died in tragic circumstances. She had lived here peacefully, respectfully and legally for more than 50 years.
“The coroner recorded that it was suicide, citing among other reasons her worries about Brexit.”
It is believed to be the first time Brexit has been mentioned by a coroner in an inquest verdict.
Mrs Davies’s body was found about a mile from her Tewkesbury home nine days before Britain’s original Brexit date of March 29.
The inquest heard she had “expressed anxiety over current events” and discussed her fears with her husband the day before she died.
The couple, who have a son, Benoit, planned to move to France.
Mrs Davies had a history of depression and had also been distraught about a pet’s death. She had been treated for pneumonia and her mobility was declining.
On March 19 she went to her local vet’s and was brought home in a distressed state by staff. That night she vanished, sparking a police hunt and she was found in a flooded field in the early hours. A post mortem revealed she died from drowning.
Senior coroner Katy Skerrett said: “The day before she died she was still very worried about Brexit and in the evening she went out and tragically did not return.”
In February, a survey by Britain Thinks found that six Britons in 10 believe Brexit uncertainty is damaging to mental health.