Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenage anorexia sufferer writes goodbye letter to her dog before stepping in front of train

The 15-year-old had been released from The Priory just days before 

Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Thursday 20 April 2017 19:57 BST
Comments
Pip ran away from home on the day she died after fighting with her family about her gym use
Pip ran away from home on the day she died after fighting with her family about her gym use (Facebook)

A 15-year-old suffering from severe anorexia wrote goodbye letters to her family and dog before stepping out in front of a train, an inquest heard.

Pippa “Pip” McManus died at Gatley railway station in December 2015 just days after being released from The Priory hospital, where she had been sectioned under the mental health act.

One of the letters was read out at the inquest into her death, according to Manchester Evening News. It said: “I do want to grow up and have a life, at the moment I don’t have one. I can’t fight anorexia anymore. I have tried so very hard, but it has won me.”

Pip’s parents Marie and James were concerned about her release, the inquest heard, and would have liked her to be transferred to a new facility.

However Stockport Coroners’ Court heard how she died at Gatley train station following a fight with her family over her gym use.

Pip was diagnosed aged 13 and was admitted to The Priory in 2014, weighing just 27kg. She had previously received treatment elsewhere.

Her family have now set up a fundraising page in her memory to help others suffering from eating disorders.

“The tear in the thread of our family will never be mended. Pip spent her last 3 years fighting against anorexia, malnutrition, depression and self harm," Ms McManus wrote on the page.

"I do not want Pip’s life and suffering to have been in vain, whenever she was able, she tried to help others suffering from similar conditions."

She added: “With your support, Pip will never be forgotten, her memory will live on, and her foundation will continue to help the people she tried to help while she was still alive.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in