'Content & happy' Brit bar worker, 23, took her own life days before birthday bash with pals while working in Magaluf
A "HAPPY" British bartender took her own life just days before celebrating her birthday while working in Magaluf.
Danielle Brookes, 23, was found dead next to a suicide note in her flat on the Punta Ballena strip after concerned friends alerted another resident.
Danielle – known as Dani – seemed "content" right before her death on May 18, according to her grieving mum Mandy, CheshireLive reports.
In a statement read out by Warrington area coroner Claire Welch, Mandy said her daughter had been on a night out with pals two days before she took her own life.
And she had been messaging her step-mum Lisa on WhatsApp until late on May 17 about looking forward to celebrating her birthday, an inquest heard.
A report from the Civil Guard General Headquarters in Spain confirmed a suicide note was found on the counter in the living area of Danielle's flat.
Ms Welch said on behalf of Mandy: "In the immediate period to her passing away, she presented as content and happy.
"There was no indication at all of any low mood in the days leading up to her death and in fact she was making future plans for her birthday.
"She was last spoken to over WhatsApp on May 17, late in the evening.
'CONTENT AND HAPPY'
"She sent some videos to her stepmother Lisa showing her in a bar, out drinking with some friends. She was laughing, happy and didn't show any signs of low mood.
"The last time Dani spoke to Lisa was just before 11pm on the Sunday night.
"Lisa had messaged Dani saying 'I can't wait for our girly hot tub night' and Dani replied 'me too, love you' with kisses. That was the last point that Dani was on WhatsApp."
Danielle had previously been diagnosed with anxiety and had attempted an overdose about seven years before her death, the statement also said.
Her cause of death was recorded as asphyxia after a post-mortem in Spain.
A second carried out at Leighton Hospital after Dani's body was repatriated also came to the same conclusion.
Both reported there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs playing a part in her death.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Ms Welch said: "From the background information I have from the family, there were no signs that she was planning to do what she did, there was forward planning in terms of looking forward to the hot tub plans for her birthday.
"There were no signs of low mood, far less in the suicidal sense.
"I do note there was past history of an overdose, although it was seven years ago, and there was no reference, as far as the family were aware, of her having any suicidal thoughts.
"But I have to balance that against the circumstances in which Dani was found and also the note that she had left, which makes it appear to me that she was making her intentions clear.
"When I put those pieces of evidence together, it suggests to me an element of forward planning.
"Those features, despite the absence of any external signs to you (the family), satisfy me that unfortunately it is more likely than not that it was her intention to end her life."
A GoFundMe page was set up after her death and well-wishers donated in their thousands.
One of the two expats who set up the fundraising site, Meghan Tattersall, paid tribute Danielle on Facebook.
She said at the time: “You are my best friend and my angel high in the sky. I’m truly heartbroken.
“I’m so proud to be able to spend everyday with you. Fly high my princess. RIP to my girl I’m so proud of. I love you.”
Another pal, Jay Burton, wrote: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news Danielle Finlay Brookes.
“You were the life of the party everywhere you were. Hope you rest in peace. Magaluf won’t be the same without you.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
He added in a later post: “Sending all my love to everyone else who is struggling through this tough time.
“Being stuck indoors, with your mind doing somersaults, thinking you’re not good enough, with the biggest challenge of the day being putting a smile on your face.
“To all my friends and family, please check on those you haven’t heard from in a while.”
Danielle, who described herself on social media as a “queen building her own empire” had worked in Magaluf for several years.
Last year, her dad Michael, also known as Fin, said his daughter had caught Covid-19 two months before her death.
He also told The Mirror: “It breaks my heart she was feeling that way. She was private about her mental health. She was taking medication but never spoke about it.
“Lockdown was announced in the UK two days before friends were supposed to visit, so she was upset they had to cancel. Other than that, we didn’t know anything was wrong.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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