Former Hampton Court Palace gardener found dead at home in Eastbourne

Gillian Strudwick died on July 20 last year at her flat in Bexfield Court on Grassington Road, an inquest heard.

An inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall on Thursday (February 25), heard Mrs Strudwick had moved to Eastbourne in 2019 with her husband Les after retiring from her job as a horticulturist at Hampton Court Palace.

GP Maia Nicholls told the inquest Mrs Strudwick had a history of depression and anxiety and had chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and Crohn’s disease.

Mrs Strudwick’s sister Kate Taylor, who also lived in Eastbourne, said, “She was clever, funny, empathetic and creative. She had a broad range of interests and I loved her very much.”

Mrs Taylor told the inquest that financial worries caused her sister to struggle again with her mental health last year.

She also said her sister was finding it hard to make friends here due to lockdown restrictions.

The inquest heard Les Strudwick returned to their flat on the afternoon of July 20 to find his wife dead.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze ruled that Mrs Strudwick took her own life and called the incident ‘very tragic’.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, the Samaritans may be able to help - the charity’s helpline number is 116 123.