Sophie Shambley, a 38-year-old mother of two, was found dead on the railway tracks at Bryn Railway Station on December 19 2025, just days before Christmas. An inquest held at Bolton Coroners Court on Monday (August 10) heard she sent a series of deeply distressing messages to her family in the moments before her death.
Inquest hears of mental health struggles
The hearing was told Sophie had experienced mental health difficulties stretching back to 2013 when she received a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. The mother of two had battled postnatal depression following the births of both her children and during a period of her life was estranged from her family.
"She always said that she only had one good week a month," her husband Shaun informed the hearing. The court additionally heard about several challenges in her life that led her to seek support. It emerged that in the days preceding her death, Sophie had lost two grandparents.
Reflecting on how the family bereavements affected his daughter, Sophie's father Adrian Roscoe told the court: "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 added. "She found it difficult with Sean working away."
Active steps to tackle difficulties
Despite this, the court was told that Sophie, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, would frequently take 'active steps' to tackle her difficulties. When questioned about whether Sophie had ever displayed any suicidal thoughts, Mr Shambley replied that she had not, and spoke warmly of her devotion to her children.
"She was always scared of death," he said. "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."
Her GP, Dr Sakir Patel, outlined Sophie's comprehensive medical history, which demonstrated that the former administrator would routinely seek support whenever she required it. He informed the court that in 2017 she relocated to Gran Canaria with her family, and upon returning in 2020, requested additional medication.
Final hours and messages
By 2024, she had 'stopped drinking altogether' and was known to 'engage' with a drug, alcohol, and mental health support charity for nine months, during which she made 'significant progress'. Dr Patel, who characterised her suicidal thoughts as 'fleeting', noted that Sophie consistently maintained contact with NHS services regarding the level of support she required. In December 2025, the month of her passing, Dr Patel stated there were 'no concerns' regarding Sophie's mental wellbeing.
The inquest heard details of Sophie's final hours. Shaun recounted to the court how the family enjoyed a 'good' day purchasing a turkey for a Christmas meal Sophie had been planning. Later that evening, while speaking on the phone with her mother-in-law, Sophie remarked 'she did not deserve' her husband, the hearing was told.
Her mother-in-law subsequently contacted Shaun, who conversed with her for an hour in the rear garden. He informed the court that upon re-entering the house, he discovered Sophie was no longer there. The hearing was told how the father-of-two consulted a GPS application called 'Life360' which indicated Sophie's location as being on the tracks at Bryn Railway Station.
The court was informed that Sophie had sent text messages to her mother, children and husband. The message to her mother stated 'Good night, mum' at 5.30pm, which Joanne characterised 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 said: "Tell the kids I love them so much and you".
Sophie's cause of death was determined as polytrauma, with coroner Stephen Teasdale concluding suicide.
