Glenys Shelton Found Dead on Hunstanton Beach, Coroner Unable to Determine Intent

Glenys Shelton, a 69-year-old woman, was found dead on Hunstanton beach in Norfolk during Storm Babet on October 20, 2023. The inquest into her death revealed that she had a history of depression and anxiety following the death of her husband, Peter, in 2020 from prostate cancer.

Mrs. Shelton's son, James Shelton, described her as a "fantastic, fun-loving woman" whose mental health declined after the loss of her "soul mate" husband. The couple had built a successful market trading business together before retiring in Hunstanton.

In the last three years of her life, Mrs. Shelton suffered from depression and anxiety, and in 2022, she spent 100 days as an inpatient in a mental health facility. Her children said she had spoken of taking her own life and was eventually sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

On the night of her death, Mrs. Shelton had declined an invitation to her son's house, feeling anxious. A carer had visited her earlier that evening, and her body was found less than a mile from her home, near the Sealife Centre. A note with a suicide helpline number was found near her bed.

Why this matters: The tragic story of Glenys Shelton highlights the devastating impact of mental health issues and the importance of support for those struggling with depression and anxiety, particularly after the loss of a loved one. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of mental health services in providing adequate care and support for individuals in crisis.

The coroner concluded that Mrs. Shelton drowned in the sea, but the evidence did not reveal if she intended to go into the sea or intended to die. The inquest recorded a narrative conclusion, with the cause of death being drowning. James Shelton described his mother as a "fantastic, fun-loving woman" who "died of a broken heart" following the loss of her husband.

Key Takeaways

• Glenys Shelton, 69, found dead on Hunstanton beach during Storm Babet.
• Shelton had history of depression, anxiety after husband's death in 2020.
• Shelton spent 100 days in mental health facility in 2022, spoke of suicide.
• Coroner concluded drowning, but unclear if intentional death or accident.
• Tragic case highlights impact of mental health issues and need for support.