A FEMALE bouncer was found hanged in a hotel room two years after a brutal gang attack masterminded by her ex-girlfriend.
Tragic Aimee Purdey, 21, had been suffering from depression and anxiety when she text her partner saying: “I’m sorry”.
She was later found dead in the hotel in Manchester in March last year, an inquest was told.
Her death came two years after she suffered severe bruising in a savage “happy slap” attack by an all-girl gang, which was not mentioned as a factor in her death at the hearing.
Aimee, then 18, was lured by ex Simone McDermott into meeting her at her home but was ambushed by the thug and her three pals.
The teen begged “let me go, please let me go” as she was kicked and punched repeatedly while the animals threatened to “break” her face.
Aimee was left with multiple bruising to her head and body – including a footprint mark.
McDermott and her friends Melissa Marriott, Siobhan Wait and Victoria Houghton escaped jail after admitting assault with intent to rob.
The inquest made no mention of the attack but was told Aimee had been suffering from severe mental difficulties and had attempted to take her own life.
She previously spoke of the effect the assault had on her – including how she believed the girls would kill her.
Aimee said at the time: ”I’ve started getting shopping delivered to my house and I feel unsure going to the shops as I might bump into Simone McDermott and her friends. I didn’t think they were sorry for what they did.
”I couldn’t work or do anything and I didn’t feel safe or have the confidence to. The assault made me feel paranoid in relationships. When friends arrange to meet me I think I’m going to get hurt and ‘I am on medication in relation to my anxiety.
”The feeling of being attacked by someone I cared about and who I thought cared about me had left me feeling really betrayed. I was so distressed I couldn’t sleep. I am frustrated to be made to feel a victim by this girl. I don’t want to feel weak and have these feeling hanging over me.
”This has affected everything in life and I think about the assault every single day, it’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and when I go to sleep, I have dreams about being attacked and having things stolen from me.”
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
The hearing was told Aimee had been on a night out in Manchester with pals when she returned to her hotel room alone at around 5.15am.
Her girlfriend called police after receiving the “I’m sorry” text but by the time cops arrived, Aimee was tragically already dead.
The inquest was told she had made threats over taking her own life and there had been “issues” over suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
She had also been receiving medication through Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and was due to see a psychiatrist in June last year.
Her dad David Purdey said: “At the time of her death, I felt Aimee was getting on with her life and she was loving her job and that she was considering going back to college to do a hairdressing course.
“She seemed happy, and her depression was at bay. I just wished that you had known about Aimee’s other attempt to end her life.”
Her mum Jennifer Purdey added: ”She had had some relationship difficulties around September 2019 and that that caused some considerable distress to her. My opinion is that this was probably a cry for help.”
Assistant Coroner Fiona Borrill recorded a narrative verdict as she couldn’t be sure Aimee intended to take her own life.
She said: “It appears that Aimee was an impulsive person and I believe it is possible she hoped that she was going to be discovered.
“She was a young woman who clearly had a lot to live for and plans for the future, and it’s desperately sad that her life has ended in this way.”
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