An inquest has revealed tragic details about the death of Abigail Garside, a 30-year-old champion horse rider, who was found hanged in Harrogate town centre hours after an argument with her husband during their wedding anniversary weekend.
The couple, from Blackburn, Lancashire, had been celebrating at the Rudding Park resort on August 17 last year. Earlier in the day, they posted loved-up pictures on social media, including one of them in a hot tub with champagne. However, the inquest at Northallerton Coroner's Court heard that they had been drinking alcohol and taking cocaine throughout the day, and later had a row at Mojo's bar in Harrogate.
Mrs Garside accused her husband of not sticking up for her at the bar and 'stormed out' of the hotel room between 2am and 2.30am on August 18, leaving her phone behind. Mr Garside fell asleep and when he woke up, she was not there. He drove around Harrogate searching for her but was later informed of her death after spotting police near the hotel. A member of the public had found her body.
Assistant Coroner Sarah Middleton concluded with a narrative verdict, stating: 'I know from experience the combination of alcohol and cocaine can make people act in a way they wouldn't normally, and what happened to Abigail just seems completely out of character. If she hadn't taken the alcohol and cocaine there's no way she would have [taken her life]. She had far too much to live for.'
Mrs Garside's father said in a statement: 'She had a great future. She was happily married and everything was on the up. When we found out it was a complete shock.' The couple had planned to move to Australia before her death.
