by Alex Claridge

An artist who hanged herself after losing her job left a note directing people to her body.

Police broke into Canterbury lecturer Tracey Dee's terraced home in Island Wall, Whitstable, on December 19 after worried neighbours reported not seeing her.

Officers came across a note with the words "I'm in the shed" written on it.

They went to the outhouse, which 43-year-old Miss Dee used as an art studio, and found her hanging from a rope.

In other notes around the house, Miss Dee had left instructions around about what to do with her dog and how to use an exercise machine.

Another note was specifically for her father Philip and contained information including passwords and codes for computers and bank accounts.

Mr Dee told the hearing his daughter had worked as a lecturer in Canterbury, but he had not known she had lost her job. He added she did not have any debts or any history of mental health issues.

In a statement read to the court, police said Miss Dee had lost her job - but had not told any of her family.

Sgt Adam Scotcher, who was among the first to enter the house, said: "The house was extremely tidy and no one else was there.

"There was food for a dog and information on who it should go to. There were other notes for family members.

"When we went to the shed, I could see a woman ​hanging from the beams."

"i don't understand why she did this and i cannot get my head around it...” – philip dee

Officers found no sign of forced entry and no other injuries. They concluded she had killed herself.

Miss Dee was qualified in sign language, had completed a post-graduate certificate in education at Canterbury Christ Church University and had just finished a course on teaching children with dyslexia.

She acted as mentor for children and adults doing art and in the summer had set up workshops in art for local children.

About eight years ago she moved to Whitstable, renting a house in Island Wall, and then bought her home in the same road.

Her father Philip, who lives in Wingham, said: "I don't understand why she did this and I cannot get my head around it.

"She had so many friends who also can't understand it and she knew so many people in Whitstable.

"She loved living there near the sea and had so many plans for the future."

Pathologist Salim Anjarwalla gave the clinical cause of death as neck suspension and coroner James Dillon recorded a verdict of suicide.