A MUM-OF-TWO described by her family as ‘happy, bubbly and full of life’ died following a night out with her friends in Stockton Heath.

Helen O’Brien, from Latchford, went missing on the evening of September 25 after failing to return home.

The 34-year-old, who was also known as Helen Reilly, was found in the Mersey a week later.

An inquest into her death took place yesterday, Thursday and heard how the loss of her fiancé in July 2018 had a ‘devastating effect’ on Helen.

Linda McBreen, Helen’s mum, told the court how her daughter was ‘full of life and the life and soul of the party’.

However, following the tragic death of her partner, Helen’s ‘spark went out’ and she withdrew into herself.

Helen was living back at home with her parents and had been suffering with bad depression that she had not previously struggled with.

Linda said: “She had good days but sadly, many bad days.”

Helen sought medical advice and two weeks before she went missing, her GP increased her sertraline dosage as Helen did not think it was helping.

At the appointment, she told her doctor that she had never had suicidal thoughts and said she would ‘never do anything like that’.

The court heard that she was actively looking for help.

On the evening of September 25 Helen met with friends for a meal and drinks in Stockton Heath.

Linda noted how Helen seemed her ‘normal self’ that morning and when she returned from the night out, she seemed ‘merry but not overly drunk’ and told her mum she had a nice time.

Linda went out to the bingo but when she got home at around 9.45pm, Helen was not in.

She called Helen at around 10.30pm and she answered saying she was at her best friend’s house in Stockton Heath and was staying the night.

Helen seemed happy and said Carrieanne would drop her home the following morning.

They said goodnight and that was the last time Linda spoke to her daughter.

In a statement, she said how devastated her family are by Helen’s death.

Carrieanne, Helen's best friend, told the inquest how they had known each other since they were little girls but had become very close in the last seven years.

Helen had ‘always been happy but there was a change in her after the loss of her fiancé’.

Carrieanne told the inquest how she had invited Helen to a belated birthday party and that her best friend was excited about the night.

They went to various bars in Stockton Heath and at the end of the night, Helen went back to her mum’s house.

Helen then phoned Carrieanne and arranged to meet her back at Carrieanne’s house where they had a few more drinks.

At 10.30pm, Helen asked Carrieanne to go to a local shop and so she left Helen in her home.

When she returned at around 11pm, Helen had gone and Carrieanne assumed she had decided to go home.

The following morning, she became increasingly concerned after discovering Helen was not at home and when she called her mobile phone, someone answered saying they had found it on the Cantilever Bridge.

Helen’s body was found in the Mersey near to Seacombe Ferry Terminal in Liverpool on October 2.

Carrieanne said how their ‘worst fears’ were confirmed and spoke of her heartache.

Coroner for Cheshire Peter Sigee ruled Helen's death as a result of drowning and reached an open conclusion.

He said: “I want to pass my condolences to Helen’s family; I am sorry I had to learn about her in this way.”

If you have been affected by this story and would like to talk to someone then call Samaritans for free from any phone on 116123.

Alternatively Papyrus, dedicated to helping people under 35 at risk of suicide, via its HopelineUK service.

Visit papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk/ or call 0800 068 4141, text 07786209697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org