A 44-year-old mother died by suicide after a marriage breakdown and a court order prevented her from seeing her children, an inquest has heard. Nika Bittova, a John Lewis store worker, had moved out of the family home when her 16-year relationship with her husband ended.

She was subsequently banned from seeing her children by a court order. The inquest was told that Ms. Bittova became terrified of arrest by police when she breached the order by going to her daughter's school. She expressed fears that police would come for her during her job on the cosmetics counter at the store.

Shortly before her death, Ms. Bittova had seen her doctor about low mood, stating, "I don't want medication. I just want to see my children." A friend had also contacted her GP expressing concern that Ms. Bittova "couldn't go on living without them."

Mrs. Bittova, originally from the Czech Republic, had lived in the U.K. for nearly two decades and had worked as a sales representative at the Reading branch of John Lewis for 15 years. After separating from her children's father, Michael Tiplady, she had been staying with a friend, Laura Dielhenn.

Ms. Dielhenn found Ms. Bittova deceased at her home in Earley, Berkshire, on August 3 of the previous year. Ms. Dielhenn had been worried about Ms. Bittova in the days leading up to her death, noting her friend's fear of police involvement due to the ongoing court case. Despite reassurances that police were unlikely to intervene in a family court matter, Ms. Bittova remained distressed.

Ms. Dielhenn discovered Ms. Bittova's body after checking her room in the morning. Police were called, and Ms. Bittova was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Bittova had been staying with Ms. Dielhenn since January of the previous year, weeks after the unpermitted visit to her daughter's school.

Her doctor had recommended counseling, but the local NHS talking therapy team declined her request, as she was already receiving support from a mental health charity. In a tribute read at the inquest, a friend, April Slater, described Ms. Bittova as a "brilliant, caring girl and a great salesperson" who loved her children and wanted to be reunited with them. "Nika felt she couldn't go on living without them; without her children, there was no way out," Slater added.

A toxicology report found no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system. Coroner Ian Wade, recording a conclusion of suicide, stated that while no note was found, he was satisfied Ms. Bittova intended to take her own life. The cause of death was compression of the neck. He extended his sympathies to those who loved and cared for Ms. Bittova and expressed hope that her children would continue to be loved by those around them. Mr. Tiplady provided a written statement that was not read publicly at the hearing.