Woman found dead in Mayflower Park had lost her husband - inquest

Xiao Hong Ma Knight, also known as Annie Knight, left her home in the middle of the night and entered the River Test off Mayflower Park, where her body was found a few hours later.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that the 61-year-old cleaner had drowned.

Coroner Christopher Wilkinson said Mrs Knight, of Upper Bugle Street, took her own life whilst suffering from what he described as chronic grief and acute anxiety.

The inquest into Mrs Knight's death was held at Winchester Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest.)

The inquest heard that Mrs Knight was left "distraught" after her husband Colin died in 2018. Later that year she tried to take her own life and spent several months being treated at Antelope House, Southampton.

She remained well for four years but her mental health began to suffer in the summer of 2022.

Mental health support available in Southampton

Her care co-ordinator, social worker Kate Bruce, told Winchester Coroner's Court: "I felt there was some kind of decline. She was quite distracted and increasingly anxious."

Mrs Knight kept an appointment on August 12 but hardly spoke and was referred to Southampton's mental health crisis team.

Mrs Knight was treated at Antelope House in Southampton after trying to take her own life in 2018 (Image: Newsquest.)

A few days later Ms Bruce was told that Mrs Knight's daughter was unable to contact her. She went to her flat near historic St Michael's Church and discovered the door was ajar.

Mrs Knight, who worked at Ordnance Survey in Southampton, moved to the UK from her native Shanghai.

Ms Bruce told the inquest: "We had conversations about her late husband. She missed him. It was difficult staying here without him. She was quite lonely."

In a written statement submitted to the hearing, Richard Yates said he went to Mayflower Park on August 15 to collect bait for fishing.

He added: "At around 6am a male approached me in a bit of a panic and stuttered 'dead lady'. We approached Red Funnel staff, who phoned the police."

Police in Mayflower Park on August 15, 2022

Mrs Knight was found lying on her back, close to the water's edge.

She is thought to have entered the water at around midnight. Police investigated the incident but found there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Mr Wilkinson said Mrs Knight suffered from depression following the death of her husband, plus acute anxiety caused by concerns over her housing and benefits.

He recorded a conclusion of suicide and extended his condolences to her daughter.

• If you are affected by any issues mentioned in this report, contact the Samaritans 24/7 on the free helpline 116 123.