Mum, 32, found dead at home after her family noticed something unusual on Facebook
A MUM was found dead at home after her family noticed something unusual on Facebook.
Katy Gough usually commented on photos of her daughter but was seemingly silent online in the run up to Christmas 2022.
She left no message under a picture of the youngster after she met Santa Claus, which her relatives thought strange.
They grew increasingly concerned when they were unable to reach the 32-year-old by phone or text.
In a panic, her mum Elaine Beech burst into her house in Royton, Greater Manchester, where she found Katy unresponsive on December 16.
She had taken her own life.
Opening up about the tragic day and the “wake of devastation” that followed, she told Manchester Evening News: “We couldn’t get hold of her all day.
“Her daughter was seeing Santa that day and we were waiting for her to comment on a photo of her meeting him [on Facebook], but no comment came.
“We went round and broke in and found her.
“It just came as a complete shock. She kept it all to herself.”
Katy, who worked at Revolution on Deansgate Locks in Manchester, was known as the ‘green diva’ thanks to her love of the colour.
Friends said she wore it every day, and she was even buried in a green coffin.
“Everywhere she went, she had green on,” Elaine said.
“Her nails were painted green, she dressed in green, everything she wanted to do was green.
“I have no idea where it came from, but all the accessories in her house were green.”
Katy was described as a “very funny” person who was loved by her family, friends and colleagues.
She is survived by her daughter, who was just two when she died.
Now four, she is starting to ask questions.
It was a devastating shock to her daughter
Elaine Beech
“Last week, she asked me how her mummy died,” Elaine said.
“She says she wants her mummy whenever she sees pictures of Katy.
“We have photos all around the house.
“It was a devastating shock to her.”
On August 10, Katy’s friends climbed Scafell Pike, Cumbria, to raise money for Child Bereavement UK – a charity which is supporting her daughter.
In total, they donated £3,150.
“She didn’t realise how loved she was,” Elaine said.
“They will never forget Katy – she was a diamond.”
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.