A British woman tragically jumped to her death from the top of her five-storey apartment block near Sydney after incidents of domestic violence involving her ‘controlling’ boyfriend, an inquest heard today.
Amanda Blake, 38, originally from Hawarden in Flintshire, moved to Australia in 2011 to work in the hospitality industry.
Her family described her as a ‘sociable, outgoing person with a very positive attitude to life’ who was ‘the life and soul of any social gathering’.
But her mental health suffered after repeated incidents of alleged domestic violence and she began struggling with alcohol, the inquest heard.
On September 25, 2022, she jumped from a roof garden in the city of Blacktown, New South Wales, and was impaled on metal railings, suffering fatal injuries.
Tragically her body was found beneath a balcony.
A pathologist found she died of ‘multiple penetrative sharp injuries’, a previous hearing was told.
Today her mother Pamela fought back tears as she told an inquest of the part she believed her daughter’s boyfriend played in her death.
She told the hearing in Ruthin, Denbighshire, that although Ms Blake kept in touch with her family she did not disclose the extent of her mental health problems.
It was only after her death that they became aware of the repeated domestic violence she had allegedly suffered and her repeated attempts to deal with her alcoholism.
Mrs Blake, who still lives in Hawarden, described Amanda’s boyfriend James Marmott as ‘controlling’ and accused him of taking advantage of her vulnerability.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Amanda Blake, 38, originally from Hawarden in Flintshire, moved to the Sydney area to work in the hospitality industry and became an Australian citizen
It was only after Amanda Blake’s death in September 2022 that her family in Wales became aware of the repeated domestic violence she had allegedly suffered
‘He was a very nasty man and the messages he sent me after her death were cruel,’ she said.
‘My only regret is that he was not questioned.
‘There were red flags all along but there was no evidence of anything.
‘I suppose I want to blame someone but there is no proof or evidence.’
Mrs Blake said her daughter had become an Australian citizen and wanted to stay there.
While living in Australia she was pictured beaming after taking part in a climbing experience at Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In a statement to the hearing from New South Wales Police Force it was revealed that five incidents of domestic violence had been recorded involving the couple.
When interviewed, Mr Marmott said he had last seen Ms Blake the night before she died, when they had argued.
After her death Amanda Blake’s family raised £20,000 to repatriate her body back to her native North Wales
Amanda Blake was ‘always a very sociable, outgoing person with a very positive attitude to life’, her mother said today
A post-mortem examination found that she had 373mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, more than four-and-a-half drink-drive limit in England and Wales.
Her body was repatriated to Hawarden for burial after more than £20,000 was donated to an online fundraiser.
In a tribute after the hearing her mother thanked members of the public who had donated to bring her home.
‘Amanda was always a very sociable, outgoing person with a very positive attitude to life,’ Mrs Blake told North Wales Live.
‘She’s smiling in most of the memorable photos we have of her.
‘She has so many long term friends in the UK as well as Australia and was the life and soul of any social gathering.
‘She came home to visitors frequently at least once a year.
‘I also went out to visit her in Australia five times during the last 11 years she lived there up until Covid.
‘Her friends and family are all devastated with her loss. She was loved by many and is missed so much.
‘I would like to thank the generosity of everyone who contributed to the crowdfunder set up to bring Amanda home to her final resting place in Flintshire.’
Launching their appeal the family wrote: ‘On the 25th September 2022 our dearly beloved Amanda, daughter to Pamela Blake and sister to Anthony and Charlotte passed away at her home in Sydney Australia.
‘It has been 3 years since the family have seen Amanda, she was due to visit but unfortunately she suddenly passed away without them being able to say goodbye.
‘As a family, they wish to repatriate Amanda’s body to the UK and have a funeral service near to the family home in North Wales.
‘As a family it is important for them to say goodbye with all her many friends around, that she meant so much to.
‘In order for them to fulfil their wishes and repatriate Amanda to the UK it is going to be an expensive process, especially from Australia, so they are reaching out to family and friends to ask for support in these difficult times.’
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, recorded a conclusion of suicide.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
