A RYDE mother killed herself at Culver Cliff, an inquest heard.

A huge search was launched in February 2018 for 42-year-old Joanna Orpin when she went missing, and the police asked the public to help trace her.

Her partner was arrested on suspicion of murder but was later released — something he received a public apology for at the inquest. It was made clear he had been completely exonerated of any involvement.

The inquest heard Ms Orpin was suffering a severe depressive episode similar to one she had suffered 18 years previously.

Her family felt she should have been treated with electroconvulsive therapy, which had made a 'radical improvement' to her condition before.

Coroner Caroline Sumeray said Ms Orpin had been a capable senior recruitment consultant with a loving family, but a series of events precipitated a decline in her mental health. She said: "This was recognised by her GP who grasped the severity at an early stage and escalated (her treatment) appropriately and quickly."

She was treated by several mental health workers and for a period of time was visited daily at home.

Ms Orpin left her home on the morning of February 13 and drove to Culver.

Her car was discovered parked at the cliff, but her body wasn't found until February 17 when a sea kayaker came across it in the water near Chichester Harbour.

Mrs Sumeray said Ms Orpin's actions were a deliberate, tragic act and with deep regret she would record a conclusion that she took her own life.

The cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries.

The following organisations offer free and confidential support over the phone:

Samaritans -116 123 24 hour support, every day of the year www.samaritans.org

Papyrus 0800 068 41 41 Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 10pm or Text 0778 620 9697 – prevention of young suicide www.papyrus-uk.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – 0800 58 58 58, 5pm – midnight. Dedicated to preventing male suicide www.thecalmzone.net

Mind - 0300 123 3393, 9am - 6pm, Mon - Fri (except Bank Holidays). Advises on a range of mental health issues www.mind.org.uk

Young Minds - 0808 802 5544, 9.30am - 4pm, Mon - Fri. Supports any adult worried about a child’s welfare www.youngminds.org.uk

The Mix - 0808 808 4994, 2pm - 11pm, Mon - Sun. Helpline for people under the age of 25 www.themix.org.uk

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