A mum-of-two sent heartbreaking text messages to her family moments before her death just days before Christmas, an inquest has heard. Sophie Shambley, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene after her body was found on the tracks of Bryn Railway Station on Friday December 19, 2025. An inquest into her death was held at the Bolton Coroners Court on Monday (August 8).
Family in court
Inside the court were members of Sophie's family. Her husband, Shaun Shambley, mother, Joanne McGarrigan and her father Adrian Roscoe were joined by extended relatives. Also in attendance were representatives for the British Transport Police, North West Ambulance Service, the NHS and Network Rail.
The court heard how Sophie had a history of mental health issues that dated back to 2013 when she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. The mum-of-two had suffered from post-natal depression during the births of both her children and during a period of her life was estranged from her family.
Mental health history
“She always said that she only had one good week a month,” her husband Shaun told the hearing. The court also heard of various issues in her life that caused her to seek aid. It was revealed how days before her death, Sophie had lost two grandparents.
Speaking of the impacts of the family deaths, Sophie's father, Adrian Roscoe, said: “They affected her, but I think there was other things going on in her life as well, but she didn't show everything.” “I think there was an accumulation of things,” Mr Roscoe told the court. “She found it difficult with Sean working away.”
However, the court heard how Sophie, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, would often take 'active steps' to address her problems. When asked if Sophie ever exhibited any suicidal ideation, Mr Shambley answered no and told the court of how much Sophie cared for her children. “She was always scared of death,” he answered. “She had the kids and she loved the kids. I think if she said that to me, I would have got her help straight away.”
Final hours
Dr Sakir Patel, her general practitioner, detailed Sophie's extensive health record which showed that the former administrator would regularly reach out for support when she needed it. He told the court how in 2017, she moved to the Gran Canaria with her family and upon her return in 2020, requested for more medication. In 2024 she 'stopped drinking altogether' and was known to 'engage' with a drug, alcohol, and mental health support charity for nine months where she made 'significant progress'.
Dr Patel, who described her suicidal ideations as 'fleeting', explained how Sophie would always be in contact with the NHS services regarding how much support she needed. In December 2025, the month she died, Dr Patel said there were 'no concerns' about Sophie's mental health.
Sophie's final hours were detailed during the inquest. Shaun told the court how the family had had a 'good' day where they bought a turkey for a Christmas meal Sophie had been planning. That evening, while on a phone-call with her mother-in-law, Sophie said 'she did not deserve' her husband, the court heard. The mother-in-law then rang Shaun who spoke to her for an hour in the back garden. He told the court how he entered the home to find that Sophie was no longer there. The court heard how the dad-of-two checked a GPS app called 'Life360' which showed Sophie's location as on the tracks of Bryn Railway Station.
The court heard how Sophie had sent texts to her mother, children, and husband. The text to her mother read 'Good night, mum' at 5.30pm, which Joanne described as 'unusual'. Sophie left a message to her child's phone which read: “Daddy will look after you now. Good night darling.” And to her husband, she wrote: “Tell the kids I love them so much and you.”
Sophie's cause of death was recorded as polytrauma with the coroner Stephen Teasdale reaching the conclusion of suicide.
