Boy, 5, finds dead mum at home after she was ‘broken by lockdown’
A five-year-old boy discovered his dead mum at home after the coronavirus lockdown had “broken” her.
Archie found his mum Katie Simms, 32, unresponsive in their living room in Kettering on 28 September.
Katie had “shut herself away” after her older brother Barry Gunn killed himself in 2015, according to her sibling David.
Police have confirmed they’re not treating her death as suspicious and are currently preparing a report for the coroner.
David, 40, told Northants Live: "And I think Covid broke her to be honest.
"She couldn't get to visit my mum, because she's got breathing difficulties so couldn't leave the house to visit.
"My dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer, he's now got a tumour so can't travel, so lockdown has basically broke us all."
David said he felt like he had failed when he heard his sister had died.
Their older brother Barry had suffered from PTSD following a tour in Sierra Leone with the army.
He died aged 40.
David has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Katie’s funeral and a trust fund for Archie.
He wrote on the page: “Katie lived her life to the full, was an out going, sometime out spoken young bright daughter, sister, friend and a young mother to her 5-year-old Archie.
“We all have some kind of demons hiding away but Katie’s was just too much
“So this JustGiving page to help with funeral costs and to support little Archie in these dark time.
“He will need all the support from all Katie’s family and friends.”
For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org
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