A MOTHER-of-four, whose body was found in Wylam, took her own life whilst suffering from depression.

An inquest heard that Sorrelle Bamford (38), from Crawcrook, had been reported missing by concerned members of her family three days before she was found dead near the River Tyne in the village on April 25.

Police and mountain rescue teams launched a major search to find the former cleaner.

They were assisted by tracking her mobile phone after she made a brief call and sent text messages to family members.

Following the news of her death, dozens of tributes were paid to Mrs Bamford and hundreds of people attended her funeral.

At the inquest, held in North Shields on Thursday, the court heard Mrs Bamford had been suffering with her mental health and had sought help for it.

Coroner for South Northumberland, Eric Amrstrong, said she had become estranged from her husband in October 2018.

Mrs Bamford, who had also suffered with a persistent back problem, took an overdose that month and was taken to hospital. She was subsequently diagnosed with depression.

A post mortem examination was carried out and a toxicology report found there were high levels of four prescription drugs in her system.

Mr Armstrong took the decision to record a narrative conclusion outlining that Mrs Bamford, whilst suffering from depression, took her own life by drug overdose.

“To record suicide I would have to be sure she made a clear and thought-out decision,” Mr Armstrong said.

“She was suffering from depression. It prevented her from thinking clearly. She recognised it herself and she had sought help.”