‘Caring’ shop worker was found dead at beauty spot

A“VERY caring” young woman who worked 70-hour weeks at Asda during lockdown was found dead at a beauty spot, an inquest heard.

The body of Hannah-Mae Homer was discovered at Saltwells Local Nature Reserve in Dudley just after 2.30pm on July 1.

An inquest at Black Country Coroner’s Court into the retail supervisor’s death heard Ms Homer was “visibly upset” after a series of messages and a phone call possibly linked to the breakdown of a relationship.

She was later found hanged, the inquest heard. A toxicology report showed she had 154mg/per 100ml of alcohol in her system.

Pathologist Dr Swapna Ghosh said there was no evidence of drugs or any other substances in her system. Recounting the last time he saw Ms Homer alive, her father John Homer said: “At around 11am that morning we were sat outside laughing and joking, then she went upstairs to take a shower at around midday because she was going out to see her grandma.

‘‘About ten minutes later I heard her talking on the phone to a woman. Hannah was crying and crying. I’ve never heard her cry like that. She wouldn’t tell me why she was crying.”

It was believed a neighbour spoke to Ms Homer at around 1pm, 90 minutes before her body was found at the beauty spot in Coppice Lane.

The supervisor had worked tirelessly throughout the lockdown and often worked 70 hours a week, her family said. She was looking forward to a two-week break, in which she had planned to go to a theme park with a friend. Mr Homer added: “She was a very caring person and very funny. During the lockdown, she was upset she couldn’t go out. She loved music and loved concerts.”

Concluding the inquest, senior coroner Zafar Siddique said: “Hannah-Mae Homer was a very caring person who had a number of passions; she loved music, was hardworking and had a very good job at Asda.

“Earlier in the day her father saw her visibly upset and had not seen her that upset before.

“From the exchange of messages on social media and over the telephone, she was very distressed and it may have been from a relationship breakdown.

“Based on the evidence, I conclude Hannah-Mae Homer took her own life.”

He went on to record a formal conclusion of suicide. Mr Siddique offered his deepest condolences to her family.

A Just Giving fundraising page launched in Hannah-Mae’s memory exceeded its £1,500 target as donations from well-wishers flooded in.

A tribute left on the page read: “I’m in shock. I can’t believe you’re gone and will always remember your craziness. You were truly a lovable person with a heart of gold.’’

Another read: ‘‘Hannah-Mae was a loving and compassionate person who loved to be silly. She had the most vivacious smile, which would light up any room.”

“She was a work of art... a beautiful, tattooed, princess with a kind heart,” read another.