Mum suffering with hip pain took own life — (The Stoke Sentinal)

MOTHER-OF-SEVEN Teresa Whalley took a fatal overdose after suffering debilitating hip pain for years.   The 38-year-old, who died at her home in Congleton on August 16 last year, had been prescribed various anti-depressants and painkillers for her condition.

Yesterday’s inquest into Mrs Whalley’s death heard she had decided against having an operation until all her children had grown up.

Despite the constant pain causing her bouts of depression, Mrs Whalley was described as being a ‘good mother’. But a short period before her death, Teresa suffered a fall which left her hip badly dislocated.

Her husband Neal Whalley told the inquest that on the morning of August 16 the couple had an argument.   Mrs Whalley asked her husband to go see his mother. Neal did so, leaving Teresa on her own in their house in Shannock Cottages, Congleton.

Mr Whalley said: “Later that day I had a call from Teresa’s mum. She said she’s tried calling Teresa a couple of times but it had just rang and rang.   “I drove back to the house. Teresa had put the stereo on really loud, and she’d put the chain on the front door. I went upstairs I saw her on the bed.”

Dr Janet Napier, deputy coroner for Cheshire, recorded Mrs Whalley took her life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.