Mighty Redcar’s Jade Smith ‘planned suicide after leaving Tory party over bullying claims’
Teesside Coroner’s Court ruled Mighty Redcar star Jade Smith’s death as a ‘pre-planned suicide’ after she was found dead at the foot of cliffs last year, following claims she was ‘bullied’ by the Tory party
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Mighty Redcar TV star and ex-Tory activist Jade Smith took her own life in a “pre-planned suicide” after leaving the party over bullying claims.
The 21-year-old’s body was found at the foot of cliffs in Saltburn on September 29 last year, after previously warning her boyfriend Chris Cassidy she would take her own life.
It’s believed “police attended a report of concern for her welfare,” and the body of the adult social care worker was found dead.
Jade’s devastated boyfriend Chris confirmed she had taken her own life to Mirror Online at the time.
She found fame having previously appeared on an episode of BBC’s Mighty Redcar programme, showing off her Boris Johnson leg tattoo as she campaigned for the Conservative party.
An inquest held today at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard how Jade “lit up a room just by walking into it”.
The inquest also heard how Jade had told her boyfriend: “This time next year I will be dead, or I won’t be alive in a few years anyway.”
Before her tragic death, Jade had struggled to cope with her gruelling work with an adult social care agency and told pals she felt unable to turn down requests to make home calls on her days off because she was still in her six-month probation.
She was said to have been struggling through “living hell” on a zero-hours contract that she was worried about losing, her friends claimed.
Her close friend Tom Seston told Mirror Online in 2019 that Jade feared losing her job after being let go from her previous employment, and admitted to pals she had started self-harming and drinking late at night to cope with the stress of her job.
The inquest heard how she had left the Tory party in 2016 after making an official complaint which was reported in the press.
She alleged that intimidation and threats had left her stressed and unable to sleep.
Ahead of her death, Jade had written an online suicide note, which appeared on Twitter days later in a series of scheduled tweets.
In the distressing messages, Jade claimed she had been abused for being a Tory – both from within the party and from others outside.
A toxicology report showed that at the time of her death she had significant levels of alcohol in her system, while a police report later concluded it was “a tragic pre-planned suicide with no criminal element”.
Coroner Jo Wharton said she was satisfied that Jade intended to take her own life and recorded a conclusion of suicide.
If you are affected by this story there are many people who would be happy to talk to you:
Samaritans
If you need to talk and don’t know where to turn to, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or visit the website to find your local branch.
SANEline
If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health problem, SANEline’s helpline is open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day on 0300 304 7000.
Mind
The mental health charity Mind has resources aimed at helping you cope with and plan for a crisis. Visit their website for details on helplines, how to access crisis services and what to do if you’re unable to get help yourself.
– In an emergency, dial 999 for urgent help
The Mighty Redcar star came to the team’s attention following an article she wrote for Huffington Post, titled “Criminals Do Not Define My Home Town”.
On episode four of the BBC show, Jade jetted off to Greece to spend a few months being a nanny and English teacher.
She remained close to her adopted Greek family but returned to Redcar, where she worked in adult social care.
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