Daniella Dunleavy, 24, killed herself after being bullied by colleagues while working as a chalet girl, an inquest has heard
A ‘kind and thoughtful’ young girl killed herself after being bullied by colleagues while working as a chalet girl, an inquest has heard.
Daniella Dunleavy had a dream job working in the Courchevel resort in the French Alps for a holiday travel firm.
But a coroner heard that she had suffered bullying while working at ski resort, so decided to return to the UK where she tragically killed herself.
Her family said they were ‘completely devastated’ by her sudden death.
The inquest in Reading was told that 24-year-old later travelled from her home in Oxford to Reading, Berks., where she booked into a hotel and later took her own life.
It was claimed that Daniella had spiralled downwards after members of her work team began ‘telling lies about her’, forcing her to quit and return to the UK where she moved back home with her parents.
After noticing Daniella had posted ‘inappropriate’ messages on Facebook following the bullying, her elderly father became concerned and reached out for help.
Sadie Smith, a community psychiatric nurse, told the inquest: ‘Her father made the first call reporting Daniella had recently returned from working abroad with acute stress triggers.
‘He noticed she was posting inappropriate comments on Facebook and he suspected she had been the victim of bullying. Daniella’s behaviour deteriorated. She became more suspicious, angry towards her parents and she had flighting ideas.
It was claimed that Daniella had spiralled downwards after members of her work team began ‘telling lies about her’, forcing her to quit and return to the UK where she moved back home with her parents
Daniella Dunleavy had a dream job working in the Courchevel resort in the French Alps for a holiday travel firm (stock photo)
‘I spoke to Daniella and she told me her team mates had been telling lies about her so she posted messages to seek revenge. She struggled to adjust after moving back home with her parents but she was eager to return abroad.’
The assistant Berkshire coroner, Ian Wade QC, heard how after appearing to be in a ‘good place’ at a family celebration, Daniella booked to stay in the Hillingdon Prince hotel, in Christchurch Road, Reading, Berks., where her body was found by a housekeeper on February 20 this year.
A pathologist confirmed that Daniella, who was living with her family in Oxford, had died from combined drug toxicity.
In a statement her GP said: ‘Daniella had a history of anxiety and depression. In November 2018 her mood had improved as she was looking forward to a job as a chalet girl abroad. However her job did not work out and she returned in July with stress-related mood issues.
In the inquest at Reading Town Hall, a pathologist confirmed that Daniella, who was living with her family in Oxford, had died from combined drug toxicity.
‘Her job with the travel firm planted pressure on her and bullying made her increasingly irritable. In January 2020, she reported the medication was stabilising her but did not change her mood.’
Mr Wade concluded that the girl had died by suicide.
He said: ‘It was a very deliberate and informed decision. I find that is precisely why she did it.
‘Daniella was a very bright and capable person, she took the wrong decision but it was for her to take.’
The young girl’s funeral took place at St Anthony of Padua Church followed by a followed by burial in Botley Cemetery in Oxford in March this year.
In an emotional statement at the time, the family said: ‘Daniella was a very bright, petite young girl. She was kind and thoughtful young lady, hardworking and I would say a bit of a perfectionist.
‘She was our eldest daughter and much loved by all of her family and her friends. Unfortunately, she suffered from anxiety and depression. After a spell of bad luck her depression returned and she was being treated for it.
‘We had a family celebration in February, Daniella attended and she appeared to be in a good place. We are completely devastated, broken and shocked, it is torture without her in our lives.
‘She loved to travel and see new countries for work and herself. There were hundreds of people who attended her funeral, some were even standing outside. I wish Daniella knew how loved she was.’
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