A woman who worried her separated husband would have an affair hung herself from a tree after sending an apology message via text message.
An inquest heard on Wednesday that Serena Butler committed herself in June after she and her husband, Nicholas, began living separately so he could care for their mentally ill daughter.
After the couple’s separation, their connection had become tense.
Officers discovered Mrs. Butler’s body hanging from a tree at Pitstone, Buckinghamshire, close to Tring. She was declared deceased at the scene.
The coroner heard that she believed Mr. Butler would have an affair, which he denied in a Wednesday statement to the authority.
The toxicology analysis confirmed that Mrs. Butler had not consumed any drugs or alcohol before to her death. However, officials highlight that at the time of her death, she was “in the midst of great sorrow and distress.”
In June, Serena Butler committed suicide after she and her husband, Nicholas, separated so that he could care for their mentally ill daughter.
The Butlers, both 38 years old, separated out of worry for their children’s safety as their daughter battled mental illness.
Mr. Butler was caring for the mentally ill daughter on his own after she allegedly threatened the other family children.
Mrs. Butler agreed to care for the boys in the family home while her husband and daughter moved into an apartment.
Wednesday assistant coroner Ian Wade presided over the inquest in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and read a statement from Mr. Butler.
He stated, “Our daughter has experienced mental health issues for many years. She was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for a period of time. As part of her return home, we agreed to find her a separate apartment, as she had previously made credible threats against the children.
I was then her full-time caregiver. This strain on our marriage led Serena to believe I was having an affair in the last few weeks, despite the fact that I was not.
“On June 22, Serena went by the residence and discussed her emotions. She was certain that the status quo could not continue.
She desired separation. We were both upset, but divorce was never discussed, nor did we dispute. We decided to inform the children over the weekend.
She did not bid me farewell before leaving. She later texted me that she loved me and the children.
“At 11:17 p.m., she sent me another text message. It stated, “I deeply regret what I am going to do. Please let the children know every day that I adore them.
Mrs. Butler felt her husband was going to have an affair, which he denied, and their relationship had become tense since their separation.
Mr. Butler added, “I sensed that something was gravely wrong.” I contacted and texted the contact, but received no answer.
I had left the home to seek for her when I discovered her automobile. I traveled a little distance into the field, but using only the flashlight on my phone, I knew I would be unable to locate her.
I dialed 999, explained the situation, and was instructed to return home and stay with my children, which I did.
A postmortem examination revealed that the children’s club manager’s death was caused by hanging.
Mr. Wade concluded the inquiry by stating, “Serena was just 38 years old when this incident occurred, but late one evening she made her way to an abandoned quarry field in Pitstone.” She was discovered shortly thereafter, in the early morning hours of June 23.
‘In the midst of intense sorrow and distress, after a very tough talk about profoundly emotional matters, she left her husband and children in his immediate custody and went a short distance in her own car with a leash for the dog.
“She sent two text messages to her husband Nicholas, the second of which appears to be consistent with a plan to do something quite major and certainly fatal.” She was discovered shortly thereafter hanging from a tree.
Suicide is the only conclusion I can offer. There is no solace to be found in this tragedy, but we all have the right to make foolish choices.
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