AN 18-year-old Wiltshire barmaid took her own life after the collapse of a relationship.

Erin Lauder was found in Pen Mill Woods at Tulse Hill, Zeals, on Sunday, April 30 last year by a woman who had gone out to walk her dog.

The inquest at Salisbury Coroners Court on May 10 was told Erin, of Zeals, had been for lunch with three friends at the nearby White Lion pub in Bourton where she worked before going for a walk.

Her father Roderick Lauder told Ian Singleton, the Wiltshire and Swindon Area Coroner, in a statement that Erin had been seeing someone on and off for two years.

Mr Lauder said after picking her up from the pub she had told him the relationship had collapsed and that she was upset.

He told the court that when they returned home, Erin went out for a walk and said she would be back in ten minutes.

But when she had not returned home more than an hour later, he became concerned and checked her location using an app on his mobile phone.

Mr Lauder set off for Pen Mill Woods to try and find her but was met by police officers who told him that Erin had been found.

The inquest was also told Erin had been treated for anxiety and mental health issues.

Wiltshire Police officers said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Singleton said it was “more likely than not” that Erin had intended to take her own life and returned a verdict of suicide.

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