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Hanna Yusuf: Talented BBC journalist took her own life, inquest hears | Hanna Yusuf: Talented BBC journalist took her own life, inquest hears |
(32 minutes later) | |
A talented and widely admired BBC journalist took her own life, an inquest heard. | A talented and widely admired BBC journalist took her own life, an inquest heard. |
Hanna Yusuf, whose work included an investigation into working conditions at Costa Coffee stores, was found dead inside a flat in Paddington, west London in September 2019. | Hanna Yusuf, whose work included an investigation into working conditions at Costa Coffee stores, was found dead inside a flat in Paddington, west London in September 2019. |
Westminster Coroner's Court heard that the 27-year-old's best friend took her own life weeks before Ms Yusuf died. | Westminster Coroner's Court heard that the 27-year-old's best friend took her own life weeks before Ms Yusuf died. |
Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded Ms Yusuf's death as suicide. | Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded Ms Yusuf's death as suicide. |
In February 2018 Ms Yusuf was admitted to Newham General Hospital after taking an overdose, the court heard. | In February 2018 Ms Yusuf was admitted to Newham General Hospital after taking an overdose, the court heard. |
Dr Radcliffe told the court that Ms Yusuf "regretted" the incident and that she enjoyed her work as a journalist "which was her main protective factor". | Dr Radcliffe told the court that Ms Yusuf "regretted" the incident and that she enjoyed her work as a journalist "which was her main protective factor". |
She added: "She felt alone, that there was no one in the world for her, [she] had had a traumatic childhood and had been trying to block emotions for a long time - but it had affected her." | She added: "She felt alone, that there was no one in the world for her, [she] had had a traumatic childhood and had been trying to block emotions for a long time - but it had affected her." |
Ms Yusuf then started therapy sessions with Lesley Cameron through an employee assistance programme (EAP) from March 2018 until January 2019. | Ms Yusuf then started therapy sessions with Lesley Cameron through an employee assistance programme (EAP) from March 2018 until January 2019. |
But, the counsellor told the inquest, she had no idea Ms Yusuf had previously tried to take her own life. | But, the counsellor told the inquest, she had no idea Ms Yusuf had previously tried to take her own life. |
"She had presented [at] times of being depressed and more about confused feelings of being hopeless," Ms Cameron said. | "She had presented [at] times of being depressed and more about confused feelings of being hopeless," Ms Cameron said. |
In August 2019 Ms Yusuf messaged Ms Cameron following the death of her best friend and the pair met on 12 September for a "one off session" - but no notes were taken. | In August 2019 Ms Yusuf messaged Ms Cameron following the death of her best friend and the pair met on 12 September for a "one off session" - but no notes were taken. |
"She was shocked and deeply saddened. Troubled that her friend had not told her she was feeling so low," Ms Cameron told the court. | "She was shocked and deeply saddened. Troubled that her friend had not told her she was feeling so low," Ms Cameron told the court. |
'Brave journalist' | 'Brave journalist' |
Ms Yusuf's body was later found by her landlady on 27 September and paramedics said she had been dead for some time. | Ms Yusuf's body was later found by her landlady on 27 September and paramedics said she had been dead for some time. |
PC Harvey Platt said there were no signs of disturbance or a note, adding that the death was deemed non-suspicious. | PC Harvey Platt said there were no signs of disturbance or a note, adding that the death was deemed non-suspicious. |
Dr Radcliffe described Ms Yusuf as a "brave journalist who loved bringing people together". | Dr Radcliffe described Ms Yusuf as a "brave journalist who loved bringing people together". |
Ms Yusuf, who spoke six languages, wrote for the BBC News website and had also worked as a TV news producer. | |
Fran Unsworth, the BBC's director of news, said she was a "talented young journalist who was widely admired". | |
At the time of her death, BBC newsreader George Alagiah paid tribute to "a young journalist of such talent and promise", while The Guardian's editor Katharine Viner said she was a "talented journalist and lovely person". | |
And BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet tweeted: "You left too soon a world where you shone such a bright light." |