Mother-of-two hanged herself after becoming paranoid teachers were criticising her homeschooling

A mother-of-two hanged herself after becoming paranoid teachers were criticising her for being too stern while home-schooling her children during lockdown, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Amanda Metcalf, 44, felt like people were constantly watching her including through her bedroom window and while out for walks with her family in Ashtead, Surrey.

She even thought police were going to arrest her as the paranoia escalated during coronavirus lockdown. 

An inquest heard how the mother, who was a member of the parent teacher association (PTA), thought teachers and friends at her children’s school were making comments about her. 

She felt they were treating her differently due to home schooling and claimed they thought that she was being too stern in dealing with the children.

Assistant coroner for Surrey, Dr Karen Henderson, explained how Mrs Metcalf repeatedly told her husband James people were talking about her, but that she was clearly paranoid.

‘She would pace around the bedroom, making comments that people were watching her outside of her window,’ the coroner heard.

James sought help for his wife as he was increasing concerned about her paranoia, taking her to a hospital in Epsom, Surrey. 

She was prescribed medication and the crisis team were visiting her daily following her delusions, the coroner heard.

Her devastated husband recalled the last day he spent with his wife. He told the inquest: ‘The family went for a walk on Ashtead Common but Amanda thought people were watching her walking.

‘She had made arrangements with a friend to take our son and I took our daughter to Chessington garden centre as she had not got out much since the Covid lockdown. Amanda said she did not want to come.

‘I felt she was in an okay state, she appeared calm when I left her at 3pm. I sent her a text message at 3.07pm to ask if she was alright but she did not reply.’

Mr Metcalf returned home to find his wife suspended in the family bathroom. Paramedics rushed to their home in Ashtead, Surrey, and attempted to save her life with CPR but tragically, she was declared dead at 4.57pm on August 10.

In an emotional tribute, James Metcalf said: ‘Amanda was loved and adored by anyone who knew her, she excelled in everything. She studied at Birmingham University where I was studying dentistry, she received a first class degree in the history of art and a 2:1 in English.

‘She was the most devoted and proud mother and her children meant everything to her. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the school PTA, a member of the choir and raised money for charity. She will never be forgotten.’

Sitting at Woking Coroners Court, Dr Henderson confirmed Amanda had died by suicide while suffering an acute psychotic episode.

Talking to husband James, his sobbing parents and Amanda’s sister, the coroner concluded: ‘I have no doubt that no-one wanted to be here today, but it shows the love and devotion you had for her in life and in her death.

‘I am satisfied that her death was caused by hanging. Someone can be fit and well but within a short period of time, they can develop acute psychosis which could not have been foreseen. It was managed as well as it could have been.

‘I am satisfied that Amanda made the decision to end her life while she was in the throes of an acute psychotic episode.’

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