Serena Butler took her own life in June after she and her husband, Nicholas, started living separately so he could care for their mentally-ill daughter

A woman who believed her estranged husband was going to have an affair hanged herself from a tree after sending a text message apologising for taking her life. 

Serena Butler took her own life in June after she and her husband, Nicholas, started living separately so he could care for their mentally-ill daughter, an inquest heard on Wednesday. The couple’s relationship had been strained after the separation.

Officers discovered Mrs Butler’s body hanging from a tree in the woodland in Pitstone, near Tring, Buckinghamshire. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A coroner heard that she believed Mr Butler was going to have an affair, something he denied in a statement to the authority on Wednesday. 

Mrs Butler’s toxicology report revealed she had not taken any substances or had any alcohol prior to her death. But officials note she was ‘in the middle of extreme anguish and distress’ at the time of her death.

Serena Butler took her own life in June after she and her husband, Nicholas, started living separately so he could care for their mentally-ill daughter

Serena Butler took her own life in June after she and her husband, Nicholas, started living separately so he could care for their mentally-ill daughter

The Butlers, both 38, separated amidst concerns for the safety of their children as their daughter battled mental illness.

Mr Butler was looking after the mentally ill daughter alone after she allegedly made threats to the other children of the family. 

Mrs Butler had agreed to look after the boys at the family home while her husband moved into a flat with daughter. 

Presiding over the inquest in Beaconsfield, Bucks., on Wednesday assistant coroner Ian Wade read a statement from Mr Butler. 

He said: ‘Our daughter has been suffering from mental health problems for many years. For some time, she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. As a part of her coming home, we decided to get a separate flat for her, as she has made credible threats to harm the children in the past. 

‘I then became her full-time carer. This put a strain on our marriage and in the last few weeks, Serena was convinced I was having an affair, which I was not. 

‘On June 22, Serena stopped at the house and spoke about how she was feeling. She was adamant she could not continue with the way things were. 

‘She wanted to separate. We were both upset but at no point was divorce mentioned and we did not argue. We agreed we would tell the children over the weekend. 

‘She didn’t tell me goodbye when she left. She later sent me a text saying she loved me and the kids.

‘At 11.17pm I got another text from her. It read: ‘I am so sorry for what I am about to do. Please let the kids know I love them every day.”

The couple's relationship had been strained after the separation and Mrs Butler feared her husband was going to have an affair, something he denied

The couple’s relationship had been strained after the separation and Mrs Butler feared her husband was going to have an affair, something he denied 

Mr Butler continued: ‘I felt that something was terribly wrong. I called and texted back but I got no response. 

‘I left the house to go and look for her, when I found her car. I walked a short way into the field but only using my phone torch, I knew I wouldn’t be able to find her.

‘I called 999 and explained what had happened and they told me to return home and stay with the children, which I did.’

A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of the children’s club manager’s death was hanging.

Concluding the inquest Mr Wade said: ‘Serena was only 38 years old when this took place, but late one evening she made her way to a field in old quarry land in Pitstone. She was found a short time later in the early hours of June 23.

‘In the middle of extreme anguish and distress, following a very difficult discussion about deeply emotional things, she left her husband and the children in his immediate custody and went not very far in her own car with a dog lead.

‘She sent two text messages to her husband Nicholas, the second seems to be consistent with an intention to do something very significant and likely terminal. She was found very shortly afterwards suspended from a tree.

‘The only conclusion I can give is suicide. There is no consolation to by taken from this tragedy, but we are all entitled to make unwise decisions.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. 

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