Missing woman discovered dead on a UK beach after disappearing over 300 miles away

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

A woman from Ireland who was tragically found dead on a beach in the UK 300 miles from her home died by suicide, an inquest has heard.

Margaret Barber, a 67-year-old community centre manager, went missing from her home in Mount Merrion, Dublin, on the morning of 8 August, 2024.

Her body was discovered by a member of the public in Cumbria on 30 August, with her inquest taking place in Cockermouth, UK earlier this week.

Her husband Donal Kavanagh gave a statement at the inquest and said his wife had been diagnosed with depression in 2011, for which she had been prescribed medication.

However, unbeknown to her GP, she had stopped collecting her anti-depressant venlafaxine prescription between February and July.

Margaret's body was discovered off the coast of Cumbria ( neilkendall/Getty Stock photo)

Mr Kavanagh revealed that his wife had been in good spirits in the days before her disappearance, and that he reported her missing after she left for what he presumed to be an early morning walk on 8 August and didn't return by the evening, which prompted a response from local emergency rescue teams.

The Garda Síochána - the national police and security service of Ireland - launched an appeal to try and help find her, but it was taken down in September after her body was located, with dental impressions used to identify her.

A toxicology report was conducted which showed nothing of significance, and it was suspected that she had died from drowning.

And tragically, the coroner at the inquest which took place on Thursday (20 March) concluded that she died by suicide.

Assistant coroner Margaret Taylor said: "We know that Margaret had gone to the beach, she went into water.

"Sadly, it's not unusual for this to happen. It is either Walney Island or Workington where bodies usually are found if they've entered the water in Ireland.

An inquest determined that Margaret died by suicide (Garda Press Office)

"I have to conclude Margaret's death was suicide.

"Depression was probably driving her actions, but they do appear to have been purposeful that morning."

Although Mr Kavanagh suggested that Margaret had been in good spirits in the immediate period before her death, she had also gone through a 'completely unexpected' tough period where 'her mood had dropped and she felt very low.'

The coroner also noted that those who are depressed can often feel 'very calm' after making a troubling decision, which might have explained her apparent good mood on the evening before her death.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.