A MISSING mum found dead in a river was pulled from the water just months earlier after battling post-natal depression, an inquest heard.
34, in Malton, , at around 9am on September 30.
Victoria Taylor was found dead in the River Derwent
launched a huge search for the bride-to-be after her personal belongings were found close to the River Derwent.
Victoria was tragically discovered in the fast-flowing water three weeks later on October 22.
An inquest heard today how Victoria suffered trauma from an early age and had struggled to cope in adulthood.
She turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism and was also struggling with post-natal depression following the birth of her daughter, it was said.
Area coroner Catherine Cundy questioned whether NHS mental health services had “missed opportunities” to intervene after learning Victoria had previously expressed suicidal thoughts.
She had been rescued from the same river just three months earlier after entering the water while drunk.
Despite being referred to the crisis team, Victoria was advised to self-refer to a private psychological service if she felt distressed again.
In May 2024, the mum was again referred to the crisis team after being found crying in the street and telling a friend she planned to jump in the river.
But the inquest heard medics decided there was “no role” for mental health services and instead suggested lower-level talking therapies.
Ms Cundy told North Yorkshire Coroners’ Court: “Trauma was quite obviously a trigger for this self-harming and drinking that places her at an impulsive risk of death.
“I can’t see it actually being addressed with her that mental health services could have supported her in dealing with the underlying trauma.”
Victoria had a history of anxiety, depression and alcohol misuse and was rushed to hospital last August after taking an overdose, it was said.
She previously told her GP she had “feelings of worthlessness and whether she was a good mother”.
Her sister Emma Worden told North Yorkshire Coroners’ Court Victoria was a “lovely person” but drank as “coping mechanism” to mask the “heaviness of her past”.
Reading her summarised statement, Ms Cundy said: “You know in your heart that she did not mean to take her own life.”
Victoria, who managed a dementia unit, was reported missing by her fiancé Matthew Williams on October 1.
The family had just returned from an all-inclusive holiday to Majorca where Victoria had reportedly been drinking heavily and would “disappear during the day to try and source alcohol”.
Victoria was seen in a petrol station after vanishing from home
Her last sighting was at 11.53am on September 30
Victoria, who was mum to a two-year-old daughter, vanished while heading towards a library on Commercial Street in Malton.
A CCTV image later showed Victoria hidden under a camouflage baseball cap at a BP garage around half-a-mile away.
Victoria was also seen on camera as she passed Malton bus station and a children’s play park at 11.53am.
Her last sighting was at 12.30pm as she walked towards the park before heading to a path along the water.
Police concentrated their search on the river after confirming a “number of personal possessions” belonging to Victoria had been found near the water.
Matthew told the inquest when he came across a can of Dr Pepper and two bottles of sparkling water – her favourite drinks – he said he “knew deep down” she was there there.
Reading a summarised statement from Matthew, the coroner said: “You think after your daughter was born, Vixx suffered from post-natal depression.
“Life with Vixx was great with the exception of the impact of the alcohol.
“You and your daughter couldn’t have wished for anyone better in your lives.”
The inquest continues.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Victoria’s partner Matthew reported her missing
An inquest heard she was rescued from the river months earlier 
