Mysterious Death Of Bernadette Connolly
Disappearance
Thursday 21st, July 2022
Bernadette Connolly was last seen at Donabate beach on the 7th of January 2022, Bernadette's coat and handbag which contained her mobile phone were discovered on Donabate beach.
Bernadette was dropped off at Donabate beach by a taxi at 11:50am on the 7th of January 2022 and walked towards the beach, less than an hour later at 12:38pm Bernadette took a photo of Malahide Bay on her phone and was never seen again.
A few weeks later on the 4th of February 2022 a call was made to police at 2.49pm in Blackpool. The discovery of a body was made washed up on the promenade at Blackpool close to steps that lead down to the beach.
An investigation which was led by gardai with assistance from Lancashire Constabulary concluded there was no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third party involvement in Bernadette's death.
Dr Ellen Jones, Bernadette's GP said in a report to the coroner that Bernadette had, "never expressed anything about ending her own life".
The family reported the days leading up to the 6th of January 2022 as 'routine' and there was nothing out of the ordinary that anyone noticed about Bernadette's behavior.
On the morning of the 7th of January 2022, described during the inquest as 'no different to any other day', Bernadette made breakfast, had a cup of tea with her parents at around 10.30am and then said she 'fancied going out'. Her demeanour 'didn't raise any flags', the coroner said.
The inquest heard that Bernadette could swim and had 'lots to look forward to', which included a new career.
The coroner said of Bernadette, "She had some long-standing medical issues but she had no long-standing history of mental health issues."
"This lady had a lot to look forward to; she had a new career, she didn't have any financial concerns, she had a loving family, she had enjoyed a nice Christmas and she had recently paid her health insurance. Did she die as a result of her own actions or did she intend to end her life? I cannot say that."
The coroner, unable to return a conclusion of suicide, misadventure or accidental death instead returned a narrative conclusion saying, "Bernadette Connolly unexpectedly went missing on January 7. Her clothing was located on Donabate Beach and despite an extensive search she could not be located until the afternoon of Friday February 4 when her body was located by the seawall."
"She probably entered the sea but it cannot be established how or why."
Bernadette was dropped off at Donabate beach by a taxi at 11:50am on the 7th of January 2022 and walked towards the beach, less than an hour later at 12:38pm Bernadette took a photo of Malahide Bay on her phone and was never seen again.
A few weeks later on the 4th of February 2022 a call was made to police at 2.49pm in Blackpool. The discovery of a body was made washed up on the promenade at Blackpool close to steps that lead down to the beach.
An investigation which was led by gardai with assistance from Lancashire Constabulary concluded there was no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third party involvement in Bernadette's death.
Dr Ellen Jones, Bernadette's GP said in a report to the coroner that Bernadette had, "never expressed anything about ending her own life".
The family reported the days leading up to the 6th of January 2022 as 'routine' and there was nothing out of the ordinary that anyone noticed about Bernadette's behavior.
On the morning of the 7th of January 2022, described during the inquest as 'no different to any other day', Bernadette made breakfast, had a cup of tea with her parents at around 10.30am and then said she 'fancied going out'. Her demeanour 'didn't raise any flags', the coroner said.
The inquest heard that Bernadette could swim and had 'lots to look forward to', which included a new career.
The coroner said of Bernadette, "She had some long-standing medical issues but she had no long-standing history of mental health issues."
"This lady had a lot to look forward to; she had a new career, she didn't have any financial concerns, she had a loving family, she had enjoyed a nice Christmas and she had recently paid her health insurance. Did she die as a result of her own actions or did she intend to end her life? I cannot say that."
The coroner, unable to return a conclusion of suicide, misadventure or accidental death instead returned a narrative conclusion saying, "Bernadette Connolly unexpectedly went missing on January 7. Her clothing was located on Donabate Beach and despite an extensive search she could not be located until the afternoon of Friday February 4 when her body was located by the seawall."
"She probably entered the sea but it cannot be established how or why."
