Primary school teacher died while battling grief over mum’s death

Emma Wilkson taught at Adswood Primary School where she was said to be an ‘exemplary teacher’ who had wowed Ofsted inspectors (Picture: Wilkson family/Cavendish Press)

A ‘vibrant and talented’ primary school teacher took her own life on the anniversary of her mum’s death after struggling with grief for two years. 

Emma Wilkson, 29, kept a picture of her mum as her phone screen saver but it is thought the teacher kept the full extent of her grief from her friends, family and colleagues. 

She was found dead at her home in Stockport, Greater Manchester on March 28 by a friend who was concerned about texts she was sending alluding to her death and songs to be played at her funeral.

The inquest into her death ruled Emma died as a ‘consequence of misadventure’.

A coroner stopped short of concluding suicide because of the amount of alcohol she had consumed.

The inquest heard how Emma had taught at Adswood Primary School where she was said to be an ‘exemplary teacher’ who had wowed Ofsted inspectors. 

Christopher Wilkson, Emma’s dad, said for many years she had not had ‘much contact with her mum.’ 

He said a relationship Emma had been in had ended shortly before her death and she lived on her own.  

‘If we had known she needed anymore support, we would have given her anything she needed. 

‘She was a generous and thoughtful individual. She will be forever missed and always in our hearts,’ he added. 

Christopher Wilkson said his daughter was ‘a generous and thoughtful individual’ who will be ‘forever missed’ (Picture: Wilkson family/ Cavendish Press)

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure coroner Chris Morris told Emma’s family she was ‘clearly a vibrant and talented individual’ and ‘an exceptionally gifted teacher’  (Picture: Wilkson family/ Cavendish Press)

Michelle Smart, headmistress at Adswood Primary told the inquest while the school was aware Emma had had ‘an episode of bereavement following her mother’s death’ there were no concerns about her health.

‘She seemed upbeat about her teaching and she was ready for the Easter break,’ she said. 

On the anniversary of her mother’s death, Emma went to her brother Matthew’s house before going to the family home. 

The alarm was raised when a friend visited Emma’s home to check on her following WhatsApp messages which alluded to her death and songs to be played at her funeral. 

The friend found Emma’s body alongside a note. 

The inquest heard how Emma was ‘not really known to any mental health agencies’ and her GP had not consulted with her about any low mood. 

A postmortem examination showed Emma had been intoxicated at the time of her death. 

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Recording a verdict of death by misadventure coroner Chris Morris told Emma’s family she was ‘clearly a vibrant and talented individual’ and ‘an exceptionally gifted teacher.’ 

He said: ‘[Emma] had worries and difficulties in her life like every one of us does. She was also troubled coming up to the anniversary of her mother’s death – but it was nothing out of the ordinary.  

‘There were no suspicious circumstances around her death. I am satisfied she performed the act herself. The WhatsApp messages referred to songs to be played at her funeral. 

‘But her blood levels showed significant intoxication and I cannot find she intended to bring about her own death.  

‘It was an impulsive act whilst under the influence of alcohol.

‘Emma tragically died as a consequence of misadventure. She was a truly exceptional person whose loss is felt widely.  

‘I am sorry for your loss.’ 

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