A woman, who starved up to 121 animals at a farm of horrors, killed herself after getting death threats on Snapchat.
Rio-Anne Katie Jane Dickinson, 20, from Ferryhill, County Durham, was found dead in woodlands on June 26, an inquest heard.
Her former lover, Hannah Wilkinson, 20, and Dickinson had pleaded guilty to five counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals at Teesside Crown Court four days before she died.
The court heard they left dead pets in plastic bags ready to burn after neglecting them.
They subjected dozens of hens, chickens and other animals to “a considerable amount of suffering” while leasing farmland to make money during lockdown last summer.
RSPCA investigators found birds walking on dead birds, animal corpses in plastic bags for burning and only two guinea pigs with water among the farm animals.
‘NASTY COMMENTS’
Dickinson was due to be sentenced on July 21, but took her own life prior to the hearing.
The inquest at Crook Civic Centre heard Rio had last been seen by her family on June 25, the day before she died and “seemed very happy and bubbly.”
Darlington assistant coroner Leslie Hamilton said: “There had been nasty comments on Facebook.
“We’ve heard lots of discussions recently about the things that can appear on social media and that’s a real concern.
“I’m told she actually got death threats on Snapchat, but seemed to cope with it alright and didn’t take much notice of them.”
The inquest heard Rio had received treatment following a suspected overdose in March this year and had contact with child and adolescent mental health services, but had been discharged.
She was also reported to have said that she “felt her life had been ruined by the Covid pandemic.”
A statement from mental health services stated she had “impulsively” taken the overdose rather than “with any suicidal thoughts or attempt to take her life.”
SUICIDE TRAGEDY
Rio had no diagnosis of mental health issues and was discharged following the incident, which the court heard she had “no concerns” over.
The court heard that after seeing her family on June 25, Rio had a minor disagreement with her new partner and left her address.
Her partner attempted to follow but lost her.
She was found unresponsive by a dog walker in woodland close to Waltons Concrete works in Ferryhill early on the morning of June 26.
Police and paramedics attended the scene, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation by Durham Constabulary found “no evidence of anybody else being involved”.
Assistant coroner Hamilton recorded a conclusion of suicide.
He said: “I need to answer the question – did the person take their own life? It’s very clear here that Rio did.
“I am aware there was a court case and she had a breakdown in her relationship and some stress at work.
“She had taken herself to a remote place where she wasn’t going to be found.”
