A SUICIDE verdict has been recorded on a 46-year-old woman whose body was found in the sea off Kent in October.

Coroner Rachel Redman said she was satisfied “beyond any reasonable doubt” that Philippa Davidson intended to end her life when she jumped from the cliffs at St Margaret’s, near Dover.

Mrs Davidson, who lived at Stanley Road, Deal, died from multiple injuries.

The coroner said she had received letters from members of a church that Mrs Davidson attended. The identity of the church and the contents of the letters were not disclosed, but Mrs Redman said they 'expressed concern’ about the effect of the church on her behaviour.

Her husband, Patrick Davidson, said: “There has been a secret area that has not really been touched.”

The couple had known each other for 35 years and they had been married for 18 years.

“She always struggled with life after the death of her mother when she was 14,” he said. “She struggled with school, university and her teaching jobs.

“She carried paracetamol in her handbag should it all become too much for her, to end her life.

“She was not keen on doctors and she had never consulted one about depression although I encouraged her to do so. We were living apart at the time she died.”

Walmer lifeboat was launched on August 23 to recover her body from the sea, and police then searched the cliff top at St Margaret’s and found her car. It contained photos and various other items, including a hand-written note.

Asked by the coroner if he thought his wife intended to kill herself, Mr Davidson said: “I feel she probably intended to. She had talked about suicide, and three-and-a-half years ago she tried to commit suicide.”