Mum found dead days before Christmas after heartbreaking texts to her children

Mum found dead days before Christmas after heartbreaking texts to her children Sophie Shambley was found on the tracks of Bryn Railway Station less than a week before Christmas after sending final messages to her family including her children A "loving" mum sent heartbreaking text messages to her family before her tragic death in the run up to Christmas. Sophie Shambley was found on the tracks of Bryn Railway Station on December 19, 2025, with an inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court hearing how she had suffered 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. 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. “She always said that she only had one good week a month,” her husband Shaun told the hearing. 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 sent 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.” The court also heard of various issues in her life that caused her to seek aid and it was revealed how days before her death, Sophie had lost two grandparents, reports Manchester Evening News. 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.” He told how "there was an accumulation of things,” and “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.” Dr Sakir Patel, her general practitioner, detailed Sophie’s extensive health records which showed the former administrator would regularly reach out for support when she needed it. He told the court how in 2017, she moved to 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 cause of death was recorded as polytrauma with the coroner Stephen Teasdale reaching the conclusion of suicide. If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.