A pole dancing champion took her own life after a long battle with depression and becoming overwhelmed during lockdown, an inquest heard.
Jessica Norris was found unresponsive at a friend’s house last summer after leaving a note on the bedroom door which said: "Don't come in. Ring 999. I'm so sorry."
Bolton Coroner’s Court heard on Monday how the 27-year-old had mental health issues since she was a teenager.
Tragically, she hanged herself at a friend's home in Bolton, Lancs., on June 15 last year.
Miss Norris had been working as a fitness instructor up until the time of her death.
She was a keen pole dancer, setting up her first studio at the age of just 15 and went on to claim the title of Miss Pole Dance UK in 2011 and 2015.
She also worked at a bar to supplement her income.
But Miss Norris struggled during lockdown as she wasn’t able to teach or compete, the court heard.
In a written statement read out in court, her mother Alana Norris said: "Jess led a life of structure, and struggled when lockdown meant that she could not teach or take part in pole dancing competitions."
The inquest heard how Miss Norris had been staying her friend Brian Crompton's home since the start of the first lockdown in March 2020.
The court heard that Mr Compton had left for work on the morning of Miss Norris' death.
He texted Miss Norris later in the day to ask how she was doing - and received no response.
On his return, he found a note on her bedroom door which said: "Don't come in. Ring 999. I'm so sorry."
The court also heard that Miss Norris had a particularly strong relationship with her grandparents.
A second note was found which said: "I love you nan."
Prof Alan Walsh, area coroner for Manchester West, who recorded a conclusion of suicide, read a statement from Jessica's GP, Dr Imran Salun, which said that she was prescribed an anti-depressant.
Julie Evans, a forensic toxicologist, added that there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in her system at the time of death.
Det Insp Andrew Naismith, of Greater Manchester Police, examined the scene, and said that the flat was secure and there was no obvious disturbance of the property.
Police coroners officer Stefan Wilson confirmed that her internet search history revealed that in the days leading to her death, she had researched methods of self harm.
At the conclusion of an inquest into her death, coroner Alan Walsh confirmed Miss Norris’ cause of death as hanging.
