A popular 21-year-old took her own life after battling depression in the wake of her mother’s death.

Admin assistant Paige Chester was left heartbroken after her mum Mandy died in November.

At an inquest at Archbishop’s Palace, assistant coroner Ketrina Hepburn heard about the tragic final months of her life.

The former Holmesdale pupil had first told her doctor she was feeling down in October due to the stress of work and caring for her disabled mother.

Following Mandy’s death, Paige stopped working and went back to her GP, who arranged bereavement support.

She had also moved from Upper Halling to Thornhill Place, Maidstone, where she was living alone for the first time in her life.

In the following months she returned to her GP on a number of occasions and reported feeling anxious and suicidal, which resulted in her being prescribed antidepressants and the mental health crisis team getting involved in her care.

In January, after she broke up with her boyfriend, she took two overdoses of medication within days, the second of which led to her being hospitalised for three days. But by the end of the month she reported feeling more upbeat and said she was preparing to go back to work. She had no more involvement with health services.

Following a night out in early March Paige returned home in high spirits, ordering pizza and spending the night with a friend who left early the next morning.

The following day Paige’s sister Shannon and two friends went to her house after becoming concerned she had not turned up at work and hadn’t been online. She was described as a “social media addict”.

Paige was found shortly before 2pm. She had hanged herself.

A note found at the property read: “I love my family so much and I have tried but I need my mum. I’m so sorry, I love you forever.”

In a Facebook message posted just three days before her death Paige had written: “After the worst time of my life I’ve come out so much stronger.

“I couldn’t be happier right now with work and life in general, soppy as it is. I wish you could see me now mum but hope you’re proud of me.”

Describing it as a “very, very sad case” Miss Hepburn recorded a verdict of suicide.

If you would like confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, or visit the Samaritans website.