A "loving" mum tragically took her own life after a bitter dispute between neighbours in Lincolnshire, an inquest has heard.
Sytske Luikens, 51, of Bentley Street in Cleethorpes, was tragically found dead on a farm track next to her car off the B1225 near Caistor on June 19 last year. The social worker had mental health difficulties, which are believed to have worsened after a bitter dispute between her and her neighbours escalated, with the single mum being arrested after an accusation of racial discrimination.
A hearing at Cleethorpes Town Hall heard rubbish was regularly thrown over the wall of her home, and when she challenged those she believed were responsible she allegedly faced a torrent of verbal sexual abuse. Her front window was shattered by a projectile, believed to have come from a passing car and items continued to be thrown over her garden wall. When she responded she was accused of racial discrimination and later arrested by Humberside Police.
Our sister site Grimsby Live reported from the inquest, which heard the devoted mum was suspended from her job and told mental health support workers that if she lost her job she would "end it all." Just days later, on June 19, she was found dead after a missing person report was given to Humberside Police.
Assistant coroner for North East Lincolnshire, Marianne Johnson, said the long-running dispute with the neighbours had spilled over into verbal sexual abuse of the single-mum and counter allegations of verbal racial abuse.
She said: "It was clear this issue severely affected her mental state and was the catalyst. Allegations were made against her which were unfounded. She was taken into custody which affected her mental health. She took the brunt of the dispute and that affected her work. Her suspension from work was a factor and she felt she was not able to carry on."
The heartbreaking final words she left in a note to her mother, Maaike Luikens, were read out at the hearing. Mrs Johnson concluded the death was suicide after reading the note and evidence of the overdose of prescribed sedative drugs Sytske had taken. She said there had been a dispute with neighbours over a prolonged period and matters had been reported to police.
'She was a fantastic mum', inquest hears
In tribute to her daughter, mother Maaike Luikens said Sytske, who she called "Sylvia" throughout the hearing, had a happy childhood growing up in the Alford area of north Lincolnshire, attending John Spendluffe School. She later moved to Hungerford where she managed a bar. She had a baby with a local RAF serviceman but they later separated. After meeting her friend, Darren Vickers, they bought and renovated a home in Bentley Street, Cleethorpes.
She had another child in 2009. The inquest heard she took an overdose in April 2021 and was taken to hospital. Maaike Luikens said other neighbours in the street had problems with their daughter's neighbours. "She was a loving person and she loved her children. She was a fantastic mother," she said.
The mother said Humberside Police had never been able to prosecute those responsible for harassment and criminal damage to her daughter's property. When a pellet was fired through her front window, she became deeply upset.
Mrs Johnson passed her condolences to the parents Maaike and Frederik Luikens, who sat through the hearing with a photograph of their daughter. "You should be very proud of her. She had achieved a lot and was clearly a loving mother," she said. The assistant coroner heard evidence from senior managers at mental health and social care provider, Navigo. They said changes had taken place within the service to ensure there was not a repeat of the tragedy, involving Ms Luikens.
The Serious Incident Review showed there had been pressures on qualified staff dealing with other clients at the time Ms Luikens' mental health deteriorated and she was given care by support staff, rather than fully-qualified experts. The assistant coroner said she hoped the recommendations for changes would be implemented and continue to be used to prevent further tragedies, even though she later confirmed that even without the failings, Sytske's death would not have been prevented.
Following the tragedy, Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said: “Our Professional Standards department carries out a full and thorough review of any incident where a person has died after we have recently been in contact with them to ascertain whether our actions may have contributed directly or indirectly to the circumstances of the death. Where necessary we make both voluntary and mandatory referrals to the IOPC, at the earliest opportunity.
"In this investigation, following a thorough review, it was concluded that there was nothing to indicate that this was the case and, on this occasion, no referral was required. In every case, our thoughts are always with the family of those who have passed away, and we have specially trained officers to ensure that they receive the support they need throughout the investigative process as we continue to support the coronial process."
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