Mystery surrounds the death of a troubled Coleford mother-of-eight who fell into
the River Severn in Gloucester.
An inquest into the death of Margaret James has
ended with an open verdict after deputy county coroner David Dooley said the
evidence did not show whether her death was suicide or an accident.
Mrs James, 32, of Edinburgh Place, Broadwell, was distressed about her husband's
drug habit and losing her children, who had been taken into care by social
services, the inquest heard.
She fell into icy cold water near Countrywide Stores in Lower Westgate Street,
Gloucester, on the night of January 17 this year.
Before the fall, her sister and mother discovered her sitting cross-legged near
the river bank at about 9pm.
Sister Sharon Cunningham said that as she approached her sister, Mrs James
shouted "Stop, or I'll do it" - and then went over the edge into the water.
Ms Cunningham said: "She didn't jump, she slipped."
She described how she saw Mrs James struggling to get a grip on the smooth walls
by the side of the river before she went under.
Ms Cunningham said Mrs James had called for help from the water. That afternoon
Mrs James had been drinking at city pubs with her husband, sister, brother and
mum.
But after some members of her family left, she became depressed.
At about 8pm, Mrs James rang her mum, Valerie Meadows, accusing her of not
loving her and saying she was fed up of money going on drugs for her husband,
William James.
"I was concerned for her and decided to go and look for her," said Mrs Meadows.
"I am definite that she didn't jump. It looked like she slipped or rolled
forward."
Det Sgt Andy Laing, of Gloucester CID, said he found a pile of woman's clothes
by the bank.
Mr James told the inquest his wife had mentioned taking her own life but never
thought she was serious.
He added: "She was always unhappy about losing the children."
A GP's report said Mrs James had been prescribed a low dose of anti-depressants
in 2006.
A post-mortem examination revealed she had died of drowning.
Comments on this story:
I agree that the
social worker and all involved including the judge ought to be brought to book.
This Mum is one of thousands being punished for no reason of their own making so
that children can be taken hostage by the state in order to make bog money from
the commodity- children. Oh if only people knew the truth of what is happening
in Perjury Palace- that's SS law courts to people who are ignorant of the facts.
Oh - it is so well hidden in secret courts where parents are gagged from telling
the media about what is really happening. I am proud of this paper for printing.
This Mother died of a broken Heart - no matter how she died. MARTI- GENOCIDE is
alive and well in barbarian Britain.
Catherine Sara, UK
Stand up the 'Social Worker' who took this poor woman's children from her.
Donald Bullock, Javea
