HAIRDRESSER FOUND DEAD AFTER SHE FORGOT TO TAKE MEDICATION ON TRIP

23-year-old was unable to get any more while in Lanzarote

HAIRDRESSER Melissa Holdcroft was found dead in her hotel room while on holiday in Lanzarote.

The 23-year-old – who had struggled with mental health issues for some time – was away with her partner when she died in June 2019.

An inquest heard Melissa had left her medication at home and was unable to get any more while she was away.

After hearing the evidence, assistant coroner Sarah Murphy concluded that Melissa, of Chesterton, had committed suicide.

In a statement read at the hearing, dad John Holdcroft said his daughter had suffered with depression for five years and was prescribed medication.

Melissa and her partner flew to Lanzarote for their six-night break on June 16, 2019. Mr Holdcroft said: “She forgot to take her medication with her. She attempted to obtain replacement medication while she was over there, but to no avail.”

The inquest heard that on June 21, Melissa left her partner by the pool, saying she was going to their room for a shower.

When he returned to their room two hours later, he could not get in and could not get any response from Melissa.

He alerted hotel staff and they forced entry to the room.

Melissa was found unresponsive in the bathroom. Police and paramedics attended but she could not be saved.

A post-mortem examination found she died as a result of hanging.

The inquest also heard evidence from Melissa’s GP, who said she had first sought help with her mental health in June 2016 and been prescribed medication.

She had been regularly reviewed and her medication altered on several occasions.

The last time she was seen at the practice, in April 2019, she reported an improvement in anxiety levels.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Ms Murphy said: “Melissa had a history of anxiety, depression and self-harm. She was prescribed medication.

“Given this history and the fact that the police did not find any suspicious circumstances, I accept this was a deliberate act by the deceased and her intention was to end her life.”

Melissa, right, had worked at Katie’s Hair

Care, in Chesterton, for nine years. More than

400 people attended her funeral at Bradwell Crematorium. Funds collected at the service were donated to local mental health charities.