A 44-year-old mother died by suicide after a court order prevented her from seeing her three children following a marriage breakdown. Nika Bittova, originally from the Czech Republic, had separated from her husband and was staying with a friend when the court order was issued.
An inquest at Reading Coroner's Court heard that Ms. Bittova became terrified that police would arrest her after she breached the order by going to her daughter's school. She expressed this fear to her employer at the John Lewis store where she worked as a sales representative. Shortly before her death, she 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 Ms. Bittova's GP, expressing concern that the mother "couldn't go on living without them." The friend, Laura Dielhenn, found Ms. Bittova dead 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 and tried to reassure her that police involvement in a family court matter was unlikely.
Ms. Bittova had lived in the UK for nearly two decades and had worked at the Reading branch of John Lewis for 15 years. Her doctor recommended counseling, but her request to the local NHS talking therapy team was declined because she was already receiving support from a mental health charity. A toxicology report found no alcohol or drugs in her system.
Coroner Ian Wade recorded a conclusion of suicide, noting that while no note was found, he was satisfied she intended to take her own life. The cause of death was compression of the neck. "This is a sad and tragic death," Wade stated, extending his condolences to those who cared for Ms. Bittova and expressing hope that her children would continue to be loved.