Mandy was 'so much more than her pain'

FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARE TRIBUTE TO 'KIND' WOMAN

- By CARL EVE

FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to a 'kind, loving and fun' woman who struggled with her mental health in the months leading up to her death.

An inquest last month heard how 50-year-old Amanda McKeown, from Aylesbury Crescent, Whitleigh had been found in a car submerged in the River Tavy at Lopwell Dam on the morning of November 2, 2023.

Despite the repeated efforts by friends and family who feared Amanda's mental health was deteriorating and that she would cause herself harm if not supported by the authorities, the inquest heard she refused help and took her own life.

Her niece Samantha Owen contacted The Herald following the death of Amanda, to offer tribute to her aunt who had a very wide circle of longtime friends and family.

Samantha said: “Like many have experienced, the loss and pain of a loved one through suicide is immeasurable. There are always questions left unanswered, what ifs and regrets in the hope that you could have changed the outcome.

“It is widely known that support services are at breaking point through lack of funding, of which we sympathise. Those that loved and cared for Mandy still feel almost two years on, that mistakes were made and opportunities were missed. We all worked hard to seek help for Mandy and were clear that we felt suicide was imminent. Unfortunately, we were right.

“Following the inquest and article detailing the circumstances surrounding her death, we have come together to remember Mandy for who she was.

“As a family and group of friends, we didn't want the last thing to be shared publicly about Mandy, to be solely about the pain she was in due to mental ill health and the distressing details of her passing.