Mother was found hanged in Bodmin Hospital

A mentally-ill mother on suicide watch at a Westcountry hospital was found hanged in her room, an inquest heard.

Melody Montana – who had changed her name by deed poll from Becker – died at Bodmin Hospital. The 33-year-old, who lived in the town, was admitted to the hospital on February 10, 2009, and died the following day.

Staff were told to check on her every 15 minutes in her room on Fletcher Ward.

Ms Montana, who suffered from depression, had been transferred from The Royal Cornwall Hospital, near Treliske, Truro, after self-harming.

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An inquest in Truro yesterday heard her mental health problems began when she was 16 after she gave birth to her son and also developed epilepsy.

Over the years she suffered from bulimia, began self-harming, made a series of suicide attempts, took drugs including cocaine and cannabis and was under the care of psychiatric professionals.

In a statement read out to the court, her mother Marilyn Atkinson said although there had been difficulties in the family because of her daughter's illness she had good memories of her.

Mrs Atkinson said: "I believe it was a cry for help. I think she expected to be found alive and given more attention but this didn't happen."

The four-day inquest was due to continue today.